Eribulin Mesylate in Treating Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer That Did Not Respond to Hormone Therapy

Inclusion Criteria:

* Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate
* Progressive metastatic disease or stable metastatic disease with rising PSA
* Previously treated with bilateral orchiectomy or other primary hormonal therapy with evidence of treatment failure
* Patients who have not undergone bilateral orchiectomy must continue luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH)-agonist therapy (e.g., leuprolide or goserelin) or LHRH antagonist therapy (e.g. abarelix) while receiving study treatment
* Patients who did not have an orchiectomy must have a testosterone level \< 50 ng/dL to confirm androgen suppression within the past 4 weeks
* ECOG performance status 0-2
* Adequate bone marrow function
* Bilirubin =\< 1.5 mg/dL
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =\< 2.5 times upper limit of normal
* Creatinine =\< 2.0 mg/dL OR creatinine clearance \>= 40 mL/min
* Fertile patients must use effective contraception
* A taxane-based regimen, mitoxantrone, or other cytotoxic chemotherapy regimen allowed provided there is evidence of disease progression
* At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy
* At least 4 weeks since prior flutamide (6 weeks for bicalutamide or nilutamide) and there is continued evidence of disease progression
* Disease progression after antiandrogen withdrawal must be confirmed by rising PSA after the required 4-6 week washout period (e.g., PSA level higher than the last PSA obtained while on antiandrogen therapy)
* More than 4 weeks since prior estrogen, estrogen-like agents (e.g., PC-SPES, saw palmetto, or other herbal products that may contain phytoestrogens), or any other hormonal therapy (including megestrol, finasteride, ketoconazole, or systemic corticosteroids)
* Concurrent bisphosphonates (e.g., pamidronate sodium or zoledronate) allowed provided the patient has been receiving the bisphosphonate for \>= 4 weeks and there is evidence of disease progression

Exclusion Criteria:

* Active angina pectoris
* Known New York Heart Association class III-IV heart disease
* Myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
* Evidence of ventricular dysrhythmias or other unstable arrhythmia (rate-controlled atrial fibrillation is allowed if the patient is asymptomatic from a cardiac standpoint)
* Peripheral neuropathy \> grade 2
* Other prior malignancy (excluding nonmelanomatous skin cancer treated with curative intent) unless the malignancy was treated with curative intent and the patient has been disease free for \>= 5 years
* Serious concurrent medical illness or active infection that would preclude study treatment - No concurrent strong inhibitors or inducers of CYP3A4
* More than 2 prior chemotherapy regimens for hormone-refractory disease - Other concurrent investigational agents
* Other concurrent anticancer therapy, including chemotherapy, gene therapy, biologic therapy, or immunotherapy
* Concurrent palliative radiotherapy
* Concurrent estrogen, estrogen-like agents, or any other hormonal therapy
* Carcinomatous meningitis or brain metastases
* Prior strontium chloride Sr 89, samarium 153 lexidronam pentasodium, or other radioisotopes
* Concurrent therapeutic anticoagulation with warfarin (Unfractionated heparin \[standard, low-dose, or adjusted dose\] or low molecular weight heparin allowed