• To learn if the addition of sunitinib malate (SU011248) to hormone based castration is an effective treatment for shrinking or controlling the tumor before having the prostate removed. [ Time Frame: 2 Years ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
  

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with histologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate that in the opinion of the surgeon is resectable. Ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate is included.
2. All patients must be regarded as low anesthetic risk for radical prostatectomy and confirm their intention to undergo radical prostatectomy at the end of the neoadjuvant therapy.
3. All patients must have one of the following high-risk features: clinical (c) T(subscript)3 disease or Gleason 8-10 adenocarcinoma or cT(subscript)2(subscript)b-c and PSA >= 10 ng/ml and Gleason 7 adenocarcinoma. The 1992 AJCC staging system will be followed.
4. ECOG performance status 0 or 1.
5. Prior hormonal therapy up to 2 months is permitted.
6. Patients must have adequate bone marrow function defined as an absolute peripheral granulocyte count of >= 1,500/mm^3 and platelet count of >= 100,000/mm^3; hemoglobin >= 9.0g/dl; adequate hepatic function defined as a total bilirubin of <=1.5 mg/dl and AST/ALT <= 2 x the upper limit of normal; adequate renal function defined as serum creatinine <= 1.5 x the upper limits of normal or creatinine clearance >= 40cc/min (measured or calculated).
7. Patients must sign the current IRB approved informed consent indicating that they are aware of the investigational nature of this study, in keeping with the policies of the institution.
8. All patients must have a surgical and medical oncology consult prior to signing informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with small cell or sarcomatoid prostate cancers are not eligible.
2. Patients with clinical or radiological evidence of metastatic disease.
3. Patients receiving ketoconazole as a prior hormonal therapy.
4. Prior chemotherapy or experimental agents for prostate cancer.
5. Patients with any infection process, in the criterion of the investigator, that could worsen or its outcome be affected, as a result of the investigational therapy.
6. Patients with NYHA Class III/IV congestive heart failure, unstable angina, cerebrovascular accident or transient ischemic attack, or pulmonary embolism or myocardial infarction in the last 6 months.
7. Uncontrolled severe hypertension (>= 140/90 despite controlling medication), uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, oxygen-dependent lung disease, known chronic liver disease or HIV infection.
8. Second malignancies (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) unless disease-free for 3 years.
9. Ongoing treatment with therapeutic doses of coumadin. However, low dose coumadin up to 2mg PO daily for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis is allowed. Low molecular weight heparin is allowed.
10. Overt psychosis, mental disability or otherwise incompetent to give informed consent or history of non-compliance.