Docetaxel and Hydroxychloroquine in Treating Patients With Metastatic Prostate Cancer

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed prostate cancer * Metastatic disease, as demonstrated by bone scan and/or CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis * Must demonstrate disease progression after initial hormone therapy (including bicalutamide and flutamide) * No prior chemotherapy allowed * No known brain metastases PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: * ECOG performance status 0-1 * Life expectancy ≥ 6 months * ANC \> 1,500/μL * Hemoglobin \> 10 g/dL * Platelet count \> 100,000/mm\^3 * Serum creatinine \< 2.0 mg/dL or creatinine clearance \> 50 mL/min * Total bilirubin normal * SGOT and/or SGPT \< 1.5 times upper limit of normal (ULN) * Alkaline phosphatase \< 2.5 times ULN * Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 3 months after completion of study therapy * No second primary malignancy except for most in situ carcinomas (e.g., adequately treated nonmelanoma carcinoma of the skin) or other malignancy treated ≥ 5 years ago with no evidence of recurrence * No history or symptoms of cardiovascular disease, including any of the following: * NYHA class II-IV cardiovacular disease within the past 6 months * Coronary artery disease * Arrhythmias * Conduction defects with risk of cardiovascular instability * Uncontrolled hypertension * Clinically significant pericardial effusion * Congestive heart failure * No uncontrolled intercurrent illness including ongoing active infection that would limit compliance with study requirements * No rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosus requiring treatment * No psoriasis or porphyria * No known HIV infection * No hypersensitivity to 4-aminoquinoline compounds, including hydroxychloroquine sulfate, chloroquine phosphate, and amodiaquine * No retinal or vision changes from prior 4-aminoquinoline compound use * No history of severe hypersensitivity reaction to docetaxel or other drugs formulated with polysorbate 80 * No known G-6PDH deficiency * Neurotoxicity ≤ grade 1 PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: * See Disease Characteristics * Recovered from all prior therapy * No prior taxane * At least 4 weeks since prior therapy (including surgery and radiotherapy) * At least 1 week since prior herbal supplements * At least 6 weeks since prior bicalutamide * At least 4 weeks since prior flutamide * No current hydroxychloroquine for treatment or prophylaxis * Prior hydroxychloroquine allowed * No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies, including chemotherapy, immunotherapy, hormonal cancer therapy, radiotherapy, surgery for cancer, or experimental therapy * Concurrent luteinizing-hormone releasing-hormone agonists allowed