Patient description: The patient is a 45-year-old postmenopausal woman with cytologically confirmed breast cancer. A core biopsy revealed a 3 cm invasive ductal breast carcinoma in the left upper outer quadrant. The tumor is HER2-positive and ER/PR negative. Axillary sampling revealed 5 positive lymph nodes. CXR was remarkable for metastatic lesions. The patient is using multivitamins and iron supplements. She does not smoke or consume alcohol. She is not sexually active and has no children. She is a candidate for tumor resection and agrees to do so prior to chemotherapy.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-999.0,  HER2-positive Breast Cancer Male Breast Cancer Stage II Breast Cancer Stage IIIA Breast Cancer Stage IIIB Breast Cancer Stage IIIC Breast Cancer Histological confirmation of primary breast cancer, stage II or III, completely resected; Note: history of a local recurrence allowable if also completely resected Prior diagnosis of HER-2 positive primary breast cancer using American Society of Clinical Oncologists (ASCO)/College of American Pathologists (CAP) guidelines (either by evidence of 3+ immunohistochemical staining or with in situ hybridization [FISH] amplification) Completion of surgery +/ radiation at least 30 days prior to registration Must have received mastectomy or lumpectomy plus radiation Must have received either neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy for treatment of breast cancer Must have received either neoadjuvant and/or adjuvant trastuzumab for treatment of breast cancer All chemotherapy, trastuzumab, and/or corticosteroids must be completed at least 90 days prior to registration; Note: hormonal therapy and bisphosphonates may be ongoing Clinically without any evidence of disease recurrence/progression (per practice guidelines for breast cancer) Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >= 1500/mm^3  Any prior lapatinib or pertuzumab treatment Any of the following because this study involves an investigational agent whose genotoxic, mutagenic and teratogenic effects on the developing fetus and newborn are unknown Pregnant women Nursing women unwilling to stop breast feeding Men or women of child bearing potential who are unwilling to employ adequate contraception from the time of registration through 6 months after the final vaccine cycle Co-morbid systemic illnesses or other severe concurrent disease which, in the judgment of the investigator, would make the patient inappropriate for entry into this study or interfere significantly with the proper assessment of safety and toxicity of the prescribed regimens Immunocompromised patients including patients known to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive or those on chronic steroids; Note: must be off systemic steroids at least 90 days prior to registration; topical steroids or steroid eye drops are permitted Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements Uncontrolled acute or chronic medical conditions including, but not limited to the following Active infection requiring antibiotics Congestive heart failure with New York Heart Association class III or IV; moderate to severe objective evidence of cardiovascular disease Myocardial infarction or stroke within previous 6 months Receiving any other investigational agent Other active malignancy at time of registration or within the last three years prior to registration; non-melanoma skin cancer or carcinoma-in-situ (eg of cervix, prostate); NOTE: if there is a history of prior malignancy, they must not be receiving other specific treatment (cytotoxics, monoclonal antibodies, small molecule inhibitors) for their cancer Known history of autoimmune disease, including Type I diabetes Any prior hypersensitivity or adverse reaction to granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) History of trastuzumab-related cardiac toxicity requiring interruption or discontinuation of therapy, even if left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) fully recovered Baseline LVEF with a value below 55% Failure to fully recover from acute, reversible effects of prior chemotherapy regardless of interval since last treatment History of myocardial infarction =< 168 days (6 months) prior to registration, or congestive heart failure requiring use of ongoing maintenance therapy for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias Bilateral invasive breast cancer, either synchronous or metachronous; Note: ductal carcinoma in situ in the contralateral breast is permissible