Doxorubicin Hydrochloride Liposome, Cyclophosphamide, and Trastuzumab in Treating Patients With Stage IV Breast Cancer

Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as doxorubicin hydrochloride liposome and cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Giving more than one drug (combination chemotherapy) together with trastuzumab may be a better way to block tumor growth.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To determine the optimal tolerated dose of Doxil when given in combination with daily oral cyclophosphamide in patients with stage IV breast cancer. (Phase I) II. To determine the efficacy (overall clinical response rate) of the optimal tolerated dose of Doxil when given in combination with daily oral cyclophosphamide and herceptin (for HER2 neu positive patients) in patients with stage IV breast cancer. (Phase II) SECONDARY OBJECTIVES: I. To assess the treatment related toxicity associated with each dose level of this regimen and assess efficacy (overall clinical response rate). (Phase I) II. To assess the safety (treatment related toxicity) of the optimal tolerated dose of Doxil when given in combination with daily oral cyclophosphamide and herceptin (for HER2 neu positive patients) in patients with stage IV breast cancer. (Phase II) III. To assess time to progression and overall survival following treatment with Doxil and daily oral cyclophosphamide and herceptin (for HER2 neu positive patients). (Phase II) IV. To compare the response rate in patients who are heavily pretreated to the response rate in patients who are less heavily pretreated. OUTLINE: This is a phase I, dose-escalation study of pegylated doxorubicin HCl liposome followed by a phase II feasibility study. Patients receive oral cyclophosphamide once daily on days 1-28 and pegylated doxorubicin HCl liposome IV over 90 minutes on day 1. Treatment repeats every 4-6 weeks in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. Some patients with HER2/neu 3+ disease may also receive trastuzumab IV over 30-90 minutes weekly or every 3 weeks at the discretion of the treating physician. After completion of study treatment, patients are followed up every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 3 years, and then annually thereafter.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients must satisfy either a or b: a) Measurable disease by RECIST criteria; x-rays, scans or physical examinations used for tumor assessment must have been completed within 30 days prior to registration; any non-measurable disease must be assessed within 42 days prior to registration; b) Non-measurable disease only, but MUC-1 antigen level (either CA 27-29 or CEA) is \> 2X ULN AND MUC-1 antigen has been documented to have increased by 1.5X prior to registration; x-rays, scans or other tests for assessment of non-measurable disease must have been performed within 42 days prior to registration
* ECOG performance status of =\< 2
* ANC \>= 1,500 cells/mm\^3
* Platelet count \>= 100,000 cells/mm\^3
* Hemoglobin \>= 9.0g/dL
* Creatinine =\< 2.5 mg/dL
* In the absence of liver metastases, AST / ALT, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin must not exceed 2 x upper limit of normal (i.e., must be =\< 2 x upper limit of normal)
* In the presence of liver metastases, AST / ALT, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin must not exceed 3 x upper limit of normal (i.e., must be =\< 3 x upper limit of normal)
* Have a MUGA scan or 2-d echocardiogram indicating an ejection fraction of \>= 50% within 42 days prior to first dose of study drug (the method used at baseline must be used for later monitoring)
* Use an adequate contraceptive method (e.g., abstinence, intrauterine device, barrier device with spermicide or surgical sterilization) during treatment and for three months after completing treatment if of reproductive potential
* Be informed of the investigational nature of this study and provide written informed consent in accordance with institutional and federal guidelines prior to study specific screening procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant or lactating women
* History of hypersensitivity reactions attributed to a conventional formulation of doxorubicin HCL or the components of Doxil
* Patients who are HER2-neu positive with cardiac disease that would preclude the use of Doxil or Herceptin are not eligible, including active cardiac disease (i.e., angina pectoris that requires the use of antianginal medication, cardiac arrhythmia requiring medication, severe conduction abnormality, clinically significant valvular disease, cardiomegaly on chest x-ray, ventricular hypertrophy on EKG, uncontrolled hypertension \[diastolic greater than 100 mm/Hg or systolic \> 200 mm/hg\], current use of digitalis or beta blockers for CHF, clinically significant pericardial effusion) and history of cardiac disease (i.e., myocardial infarction documented as a clinical diagnosis or by EKG or any other test, documented congestive heart failure, documented cardiomyopathy, documented arrhythmia or cardiac valvular disease that requires medication or is medically significant)
* Has anthracycline resistant disease defined as a) If anthracycline was given for non-metastatic disease: The cumulative dose of anthracycline exceeds 360 mg/m\^ 2 for doxorubicin or 540 mg/m\^2 for epirubicin AND the disease-free interval from discontinuation of anthracycline to diagnosis of metastatic disease is \< 12 months; b) If anthracycline was given for metastatic disease: The cumulative dose of anthracycline exceeds 360 mg/m\^2 for doxorubicin or 540 mg/m\^2 for epirubicin AND the patient's disease progressed on anthracycline given as palliative therapy
* Except for the following no other malignancy is allowed: synchronous ipsilateral breast cancer of the same subtype (ER/PR, HER-2/neu), adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer or other stage I or II cancer from which the patient has been disease free for at least 5 years
* Any life-threatening illness other than the malignancy for which they are being treated
* Mental illness
* Have a life expectancy of less than 4 months
* Unwillingness to participate or inability to comply with the protocol for the duration of the study