ZD 1839 in Treating Patients With Prostate Cancer That Has Not Responded to Hormone Therapy

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

* Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate
* PSA at least 20 ng/mL at study entry
* Must have documented evidence of disease progression, defined by 1 of the following conditions:

  * Rising PSA documented after discontinuation of peripheral antiandrogens

    * Minimum evidence of progression is a 25% increase in PSA over the reference value, provided that the increase is at least 5 ng/mL

      * Must have a first increase in PSA documented at least 1 week after the reference value and a second increase in PSA documented at least 1 week after the first increase
  * Progressive measurable disease during androgen ablative therapy (including medical or surgical castration)
* Castrate level (no greater than 50 ng/mL) of testosterone required if receiving medical androgen-ablative therapy at study entry
* Concurrent luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist therapy required if receiving this medication at study entry

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Age:

* 16 and over

Performance status:

* ECOG 0-1

Life expectancy:

* Not specified

Hematopoietic:

* Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3
* Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3

Hepatic:

* Bilirubin no greater than 2 times upper limit of normal (ULN)
* AST/ALT no greater than 2.5 times ULN (5 times ULN if documented liver metastases)

Renal:

* Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN

Other:

* No other malignancy within the past 5 years
* No active uncontrolled bacterial, fungal, or viral infection
* No significant neurological disorder that would preclude informed consent
* No other serious illness or medical condition that would preclude study

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Biologic therapy:

* Concurrent epoetin alfa allowed

Chemotherapy:

* No prior chemotherapy
* No concurrent cytotoxic therapy

Endocrine therapy:

* See Disease Characteristics
* At least 4 weeks since prior peripheral antiandrogens (6 weeks for bicalutamide)
* Concurrent steroids allowed if on stable dose for at least 4 weeks before study and no dose increase planned

Radiotherapy:

* At least 4 weeks since prior radiotherapy except low-dose, nonmyelosuppressive radiotherapy approved by the National Cancer Institute of Canada, Clinical Trials Group

Surgery:

* See Disease Characteristics
* No concurrent ophthalmic surgery

Other:

* No prior investigational agents
* No other concurrent investigational therapy
* No concurrent ketoconazole
* No concurrent high-dose narcotic therapy for pain (e.g., morphine equivalent dose more than 60 mg/day)
* Concurrent bisphosphonates allowed