GM-CSF and Thalidomide in Treating Patients Undergoing Surgery for High-Risk Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate meeting any of the following criteria for high-risk disease:

Clinical stage II or III (T2b, T2c, or T3 with any grade or prostate-specific antigen [PSA])
Gleason score 7 (4+3 only) or ≥ 8 (any stage or PSA)
Serum PSA ≥ 10 ng/dL (any grade or stage)
Any stage, PSA, or Gleason score with ≥ 35% chance of biochemical failure at 5 years based on Kattan's nomogram
No clinical evidence of CNS metastases
No metastatic disease as demonstrated by radiological exam (CT scan, MRI, bone scan, x-ray) within 8 weeks of study entry
Appropriate medical candidate for radical prostatectomy

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

ECOG performance status 0-1
Creatinine ≤ 2.0 mg/dL
Granulocyte count ≥ 1,800/mm³
Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
AST < 3 times upper limit of normal
Bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL
Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 4 weeks after completion of study treatment
No active unresolved infection
No pre-existing peripheral neuropathy > grade 1
No known HIV positivity
No other malignancy within the past 5 years except curatively treated basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma of the skin or controlled Ta transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder
No known contraindication to sargramostim (GM-CSF) or thalidomide

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

No prior radiotherapy to the prostate or pelvis
No prior chemotherapy or hormonal therapy for prostate cancer
No parenteral antibiotics within the past 7 days