Inclusion Criteria

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

- Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate

- Non-metastatic, recurrent systemic disease as manifested by a rising PSA,
defined as ≥ 2 consecutive rises in PSA to be documented over a reference value
(measure 1)

- The first rising PSA (measure 2) should be at taken ≥ 14 days after the
reference value

- A third confirmatory PSA measure is required (second beyond the reference
level) to be greater than the second, and it must be obtained ≥ 14 days
after the second measure

- If this is not the case, a fourth PSA is required to be taken and be
greater than the second measure

- No local-only relapse

- Must have undergone prior definitive therapy for prostate cancer consisting of
external beam radiotherapy, brachytherapy (with or without external beam
radiotherapy), or radical prostatectomy (with or without adjuvant androgen ablation)

- Patients who have not undergone definitive therapy as above or who have
undergone hormonal therapy alone are not eligible

- No evidence of metastases on bone or CT scan

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

- ECOG performance status 0-1

- Leukocytes ≥ 3,000/μl

- Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/μl

- Platelets ≥ 100,000/μl

- Total bilirubin normal

- AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN)

- Creatinine ≤ 1.5 times ULN

- No active thrombophlebitis or disseminated intravascular coagulopathy

- No history of pulmonary embolus

- No history of immunodeficiency or autoimmune diseases

- No uncontrolled intercurrent illness, including, but not limited to, ongoing or
active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris,
cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit
compliance with study requirements

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

- See Disease Characteristics

- No prior systemic chemotherapy for any reason

- No concurrent anticoagulation therapy (i.e., therapeutic coumadin)

- Prophylactic anticoagulation (e.g., aspirin) allowed

- No concurrent systemic corticosteroids or other immunosuppressives

- Inhaled or topical steroids allowed