Randomized Phase II Trial of Doxil With or Without Dexamethasone for Metastatic Hormone Refractory Prostate Cancer

Inclusion Criteria: Patients with metastatic hormone refractory prostate cancer as defined by resistance to both ablative therapy (with either LHRH agonists or orchiectomy) & anti-androgens. Patients must have symptoms related to disease. Patients must have PS 0,1,2 (ECOG). Patients must have measurable disease (RECIST) or PSA > 5. Patients must have adequate organ function as defined as follows: leukocytes >/= 3,000/mm3, absolute neutrophil count >/= 1,500/mm3, hemoglobin >/= 8.0g/dl, platelets >/= 100,000/mm3, serum creatinine </= 2.5 mg/dl. Bilirubin must be </= 2 fold above ULN. Liver transaminases (SGOT and/or SGPT) may be up to 2.5 x institutional ULN if alkaline phosphatase is </= ULN or alkaline phosphatase may be up to 4 x ULN if transaminases are </= ULN. Patients must have a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 50% by echocardiogram Patients must have failed to respond to discontinuation of anti-androgens. No previous therapy with anti-androgens, corticosteroids or estrogens in the last 4 weeks. Previous radiation therapy is allowed if completed at least 4 weeks prior to study entry & therapy was cumulatively administered to </= 25% of bone marrow. Patients must be >18 years of age Patients must have an expected survival of at least 4 months. Patients must have the ability to understand & the willingness to sign a written informed consent document. Patients must be willing to use adequate contraceptive method during treatment and for 3 months after completing treatment. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with previous history of cancer are excluded unless they have had curative treatment completed >/= 5 years prior to entry onto study or had 1 of the following: in situ carcinoma (any location), basal cell carcinoma, or non-metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the skin. Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to ongoing or active infection, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements or the ability to provide informed consent. Patients requiring any non study corticosteroids for any reason are excluded. Patients who have received previous chemotherapy. A history of cardiac disease with New York Heart Class II or greater, or clinical evidence of congestive heart failure. Patients may not be receiving any other investigational agents or have participated in any investigational drug study within 4 weeks preceding initiation of treatment. Major surgery within 4 weeks prior to study treatment start, or lack of complete recovery from major surgery. Patients with a lack of physical integrity of the upper gastrointestinal tract or those who have malabsorption syndrome or inability to swallow tablets. History of hypersensitivity reactions attributed to a conventional formulation of doxorubicin HCL or the components of Doxil®