Low, Intermediate, or High Dose Suramin in Treating Patients With Hormone-Refractory Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the prostate with progressive metastatic or progressive regional nodal disease * PSA evidence of progression defined as at least 50% increase over baseline on at least 2 measurements at least 2 weeks apart * Measurable disease preferred but not required * Bone scan abnormalities acceptable provided PSA at least 10 ng/mL * No minimum PSA value required if measurable disease present * Progression after or during an adequate trial of hormonal therapy * No more than 3 prior hormonal interventions for progressive disease * One prior hormonal intervention is defined by any of the following: * Concurrent testicular and adrenal androgen ablation (e.g., leuprolide, goserelin, orchiectomy, or diethylstilbestrol (DES) plus flutamide, bicalutamide, nilutamide, megestrol, or other antiandrogen) * Initial LHRH agonist followed by orchiectomy provided no progression prior to orchiectomy * Prior intermittent androgen deprivation on protocol SWOG-9346 * Corticosteroids for metastatic disease or in conjunction with aminoglutethimide or ketoconazole * Two prior hormonal interventions are defined by the following: * Antiandrogen given for disease progression more than 3 months after initial hormonal therapy * Prior neoadjuvant or adjuvant deprivation for treatment of nonmetastatic disease not considered a prior hormonal intervention * Antiandrogen withdrawal not considered a separate hormonal i…