Patient description: The patient is a 42 year-old postmenopausal woman who had a screening sonogram which revealed an abnormality in the right breast. She had no palpable masses on breast exam. Core biopsy was done and revealed a 1.8 cm infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma in the left upper outer quadrant. Lumpectomy was done and the surgical margins were clear. The tumor was HER2-positive and ER/PR negative. Axillary sampling revealed 1 positive lymph node out of 12 sampled. CXR was unremarkable. She is using “well women” multivitamins daily and no other medication. She smokes frequently and consumes alcohol occasionally. She is in a relation with only one partner and has a history of 3 pregnancies and live births. She breastfed all three children.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-70.0,  Breast Neoplasms Histologically proven breast cancer. Interval between definitive surgery that includes axillary lymph node dissection and registration must be less than 60 days. A representative sample of the primary tumor (either blocks or slides) must be sent to the operational office, for central pathology reviews, after patients randomization Definitive surgical treatment must be either mastectomy or breast conserving surgery, with axillary lymph node dissection (not sampling) for operable breast cancer (clinical T1-3, N0-1, M0). Margins of resected specimen from definitive surgery must be histologically free of invasive adenocarcinoma and ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Lobular carcinoma in-situ does not count as a positive margin. Patients with histologically-documented infiltration of the skin (pT4) will not be eligible. Patients who have a breast conserving procedure with a positive margin may become eligible if they subsequently undergo adequate resection or mastectomy with clear margins Histologic examination of the tumor: invasive adenocarcinoma with at least one axillary lymph node (pN1) showing evidence of tumor among a minimum of eight resected lymph nodes. All nodes must be examined by the pathologist. The determination of ER (estrogen receptor) and PgR (progesterone receptor) is mandatory and results must be known by the end of chemotherapy in order to decide whether hormonal therapy is indicated (Biochemical or immunohistochemical methods required ; ER and/or PgR positivity should be in accordance with the policy in use at each participating center. Each center will specify its own policy) Age > or = 18 years and age < or = 70 years. The upper age limit is not meant to be exclusionary but rather is based on the lack of safety data for women > 70 years of age Karnofsky Performance status index > or = 70 % Normal cardiac function must be confirmed by LVEF (MUGA scan or echocardiography). The result must be above the lower limit of normal for the institution Laboratory requirements: (within 14 days prior to registration) Hematology Neutrophils > or = 2.0 x 109/L Platelets > or =100 x 109/L  Prior systemic anticancer therapy for breast cancer (chemo-immuno-hormonotherapy) Prior radiation therapy for breast cancer Pregnant, or lactating patients Any locally advanced (clinical or pathological T4 and/or N2-known N3) or metastatic(M1) breast cancer.Patients with inoperable residual axillary nodal disease or with supraclavicular nodes Pre-existing motor or sensory neurotoxicity of a severity ³ grade 2 by NCI criteria Other serious illness or medical condition congestive heart failure or unstable angina pectoris, previous history of myocardial infarction within 1 year from study entry, uncontrolled hypertension or high-risk uncontrolled arrhythmias history of significant neurologic or psychiatric disorders including psychotic disorders, dementia or seizures that would prohibit the understanding and giving of informed consent active uncontrolled infection active peptic ulcer, unstable diabetes mellitus