Clinical Research Directory

Inclusion Criteria: * Histologically proven adenocarcinoma of the prostate and: Gleason \> 8 OR prostatic specific antigen (PSA) \> 20 and more than 1 positive core * Patients with Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance scale (ECOG PS) 0 or 1 * Clinical stage T3 or less as demonstrated by abdominal/pelvic computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) will be selected as the prostate is resectable * Hemoglobin \>= 9.0 g/dL, independent of transfusion and/or growth factors within 3 months prior to randomization * Platelet count \>= 100,000 x 10\^9/uL independent of transfusion and/or growth factors within 3 months prior to randomization * Serum albumin \>= 3.0 g/dL * Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) \>= 45 mL/min * Serum potassium \>= 3.5 mmol/L * Serum total bilirubin =\< 1.5 × upper limit of normal (ULN) (Note: In subjects with Gilbert's syndrome, if total bilirubin is \> 1.5 × ULN, measure direct and indirect bilirubin and if direct bilirubin is =\< 1.5 × ULN, subject may be eligible) * Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) =\< 2.5 × ULN * Medications known to lower the seizure threshold must be discontinued or substituted at least 4 weeks prior to study entry * Agrees to use a condom (even men with vasectomies) and another effective method of birth control if he is having sex with a woman of childbearing potential or agrees to use a condom if he is having sex with a woman who is pregnant while on study drug and for 3 months following the last dose of study drug; must also agree not to donate sperm during the study and for 3 months after receiving the last dose of study drug Exclusion Criteria: * Clinical stage T4 (invasion into rectum or ureters) significantly increases the morbidity of the surgery * Patients with rectal or ureteral invasion will be considered to have unresectable disease * History of any of the following: * Seizure or known condition that may pre-dispose to seizure (e.g. prior stroke within 1year to randomization, brain arteriovenous malformation, Schwannoma, meningioma, or other benign central nervous system \[CNS\] or meningeal disease which may require treatment with surgery or radiation therapy) * Severe or unstable angina, myocardial infarction, symptomatic congestive heart failure, arterial within 6 months prior to randomization * Venous thromboembolic events (e.g., pulmonary embolism, cerebrovascular accident including transient ischemic attacks) within 6 months prior to randomization * Clinically significant ventricular arrhythmias within 6 months prior to randomization * Metastatic prostate cancer * Baseline moderate or severe hepatic impairment (Child-Pugh class B or C)