DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Histologically or cytologically confirmed adenocarcinoma of the prostate

  • Androgen-independent disease

• Progressive disease, as evidenced by any of the following:

  • Progressive bone pain from bone metastases
  • Increasing bidimensional disease on clinical examination or x-rays
  • Appearance of new lesions on bone radiographs
  • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) progression, defined as 2 consecutive rises in PSA, each an absolute change of ≥ 1 ng/mL, measured ≥ 2 weeks apart
• Radiological evidence of bone metastases

• Must have castrate level of testosterone (< 50 ng/mL)

  • If medically castrated, must continue luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analog to maintain testicular suppression
• PSA ≥ 5 ng/mL
• Received at least 1 prior taxane-based regimen
• No known brain metastases

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• ECOG performance status 0-1
• WBC ≥ 3,000/mm³
• Absolute neutrophil count ≥ 1,500/mm³
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
• Bilirubin normal
• AST and ALT ≤ 2.5 times upper limit of normal
• Creatinine normal OR creatinine clearance ≥ 40 mL/min
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after completion of study treatment
• Mean QTc ≤ 500 msec (with Bazett's' correction)
• No history of familial long QT syndrome
• LVEF ≥ 40 %
• No myocardial infarction within the past 6 months
• No New York Heart Association class III-IV heart failure, uncontrolled angina, severe uncontrolled ventricular arrhythmias, or ECG evidence of acute ischemia
• No ongoing uncontrolled vomiting or nausea ≥ grade 2
• No condition (e.g., gastrointestinal tract disease resulting in an inability to take oral medication, requirement for IV alimentation, prior surgical procedures affecting absorption, or active peptic ulcer disease) that impairs the ability to swallow pills or absorb oral medications
• No history of chronic liver disease
• No known or suspected primary muscular or neuromuscular disease (e.g., muscular dystrophy or myasthenia gravis)
• No history of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to tandutinib

• No uncontrolled intercurrent illness, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Ongoing or active infections, defined as requiring IV antibiotics on day 1 of treatment
  • Psychiatric illness or social situation that would preclude study compliance

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• See Disease Characteristics
• No prior known platelet-derived growth factor receptor inhibitor (e.g., imatinib mesylate, sunitinib malate, or sorafenib) therapy
• At least 4 weeks since prior anti-androgens (6 weeks for bicalutamide), unless interim evidence of progression
• At least 4 weeks since prior chemotherapy (6 weeks for nitrosoureas or mitomycin C) or radiotherapy and recovered

• No other concurrent investigational agents or hormonal therapy (unless used to maintain medical castration)

  • Glucocorticoid therapy for intercurrent medical illnesses (e.g., asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or rheumatoid arthritis flare) allowed
• No concurrent agents that cause QTc prolongation
• No concurrent combination antiretroviral therapy for HIV-positive patients
• No other concurrent anticancer agents or therapies