Preoperative Herceptin and Navelbine for Breast Cancer

The purpose of this study is to find out what effects the preoperative combination therapy of herceptin and navelbine have on HER-2 positive breast cancer.

* As part of the patients pre-treatment evaluation, a clip will be placed within the tumor bed so that the surgeon can find it at the time of surgery. Four biopsies of the tumor will be obtained at the time of the clip placement for further testing at a later date.
* Depending upon the patient's risk level (as assessed by the treating physician), they will be treated similarly to one of two regimens. The first 8 months of both regimens are the same consisting of 12 weeks of herceptin and navelbine, followed by surgery and then 4 cycles of adriamycin and cytoxan. The treatment following these 8 months will depend upon the health risk to the patient and will be determined by both the patient and treating physician.
* Group 1: Lower Risk Regimen: Patients in this group will receive 3 phases of treatment. In Phase A they will receive Navelbine and Herceptin intravenously every week for 12 weeks. Upon completion of this therapy they will undergo surgery to remove the tumor. Following surgery there will be a 6 week recovery period where no treatment will be received. In Phase B, patients will receive adriamycin (doxorubicin) and cytoxan (cyclophosphamide) intravenously every 3 weeks for 12 weeks, for a total of 4 cycles. Patients then may or may not receive Phase C (depending upon physicians discretion), during which they will receive herceptin intravenously every 3 weeks for 40 weeks. If the physician decides that the patient needs radiation therapy, it will commence after the completion of adriamycin and cytoxan.
* Group 2: Higher Risk Regimen: Patients in this group will undergo four different phases of treatment. Phase A is identical to that of Group 1 (herceptin and navelbine for 12 weeks followed by surgery) as is Phase B (adriamycin and cytoxan every 3 weeks for 12 weeks for a total of 4 cycles). Phase C will consist of paclitaxel and herceptin weekly for a total of 12 weeks. If the physician decides that radiation therapy should be performed, it will commence within 6 weeks of the last dose of paclitaxel and herceptin. In Phase D, patients will receive herceptin intravenously every three weeks for 28 weeks.
* The following procedures and tests will be performed during this study: During Phase A: Every week: blood work; Every 3 weeks: physical exam, tumor assessment and bloodwork. During Phase B: Every 3 weeks; physical exam and blood work. At the start of Phase B and C: physical exam, EKG, MUGA scan or echocardiogram and bloodwork. During Phase C: Every 3 weeks for High risk patients and every 3 months for low risk patients; physical exam and blood work. End of Phase C: MUGA scan or echocardiogram. Phase C and D: every 3 months; physical exam, EGK, MUGA scan or echocardiogram and bloodwork.
* At the end of the study patients will undergo a physical exam, EKG, MUGA scan or echocardiogram and bloodwork.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* EGOG performance status of 0-1
* HER2 overexpressing (IHC 3+ or FISH +)
* Stage II or III breast cancer. Clinical T1N1M) and inflammatory (T4) breast cancer are eligible
* Patients with metastatic breast cancer (Stage IV) which is limited to supraclavicular and/or infraclavicular node positivity are eligible
* 18 years of age or older

Exclusion Criteria:

* Prior therapy with herceptin, paclitaxel or other taxane, doxorubicin or other anthracycline-type chemotherapy, navelbine
* Pregnant or lactating women
* Uncontrolled infections, including AIDS
* History or symptoms diagnostic of systemic connective tissue or inflammatory disease
* Active or severe cardiovascular or pulmonary disease, including recent myocardial infarction or deep-venous thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, congestive heart failure, uncontrolled hypertension, or steroid-dependent asthma.
* Left ventricular ejection fraction \< 50%
* Peripheral neuropathy of any etiology that exceeds grade 1
* Prior history of malignancy treated without curative intent
* Uncontrolled diabetes