Antineoplaston Therapy in Treating Patients With Refractory Stage IV Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Histologically confirmed incurable stage IV adenocarcinoma of the prostate that failed to respond to treatment with antineoplaston A10 and AS2-1 capsules and for which no curative therapy exists Evidence of tumor by MRI or CT scan No prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response to antiandrogen withdrawal If PSA changes used to indicate progressive disease, then PSA must increase more than 50% on two determinations at least 2 weeks apart PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: Karnofsky 60-100% Life expectancy: At least 2 months Hematopoietic: Hemoglobin at least 9 g/dL WBC at least 2000/mm^3 Platelet count at least 50,000/mm^3 Hepatic: No hepatic insufficiency Bilirubin no greater than 2.5 mg/dL SGOT and SGPT no greater than 5 times upper limit of normal Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2.5 mg/dL No history of renal conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Cardiovascular: No known chronic heart failure No uncontrolled hypertension No history of congestive heart failure No history of other cardiovascular conditions that contraindicate high dosages of sodium Pulmonary: No serious lung disease, such as severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after study participation Not a high medical or psychiatric risk No concurrent nonmalignant systemic disease that would preclude therapy No active infection PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy: At least 4 weeks since prior immunotherapy and recovered Chemotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy and recovered Endocrine therapy: See Disease Characteristics At least 4 weeks since prior hormonal therapy and recovered Concurrent corticosteroids allowed if dose is stable or decreasing Radiotherapy: At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy and recovered Surgery: Recovered from prior surgery Other: Prior cytodifferentiating agents allowed