GM-CSF in Treating Patients With Relapsed Prostate Cancer

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