Biomarkers Investigation of Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer

Inclusion Criteria

* Age ≥18 years and ≤70 years
* Female
* Operable or potentially operable primary breast cancer (≥ cT2, N0 or N+, M0);
* Confirmed by core biopsy
* Histological confirmed unilateral, solitaire breast cancer
* Baseline LVEF ≥55% (measured by echocardiography) according to institution specific norm
* Informed consent for clinical trial including analysis of predictive imaging tests and biomarkers
* Clinically or by imaging (mammogram, MRI or US) assessed breast cancer ≥2 cm with bi-dimensional measurable lesion independent of nodal status
* Negative pregnancy test (urine or serum) within 7 days prior to registration if patient is premenopausal with intact reproductive organs and if patient is less than one year after menopause
* ECOG Performance status 0-2
* Adequate organ function for cytotoxic chemotherapy
* Adequate renal function including Serum creatinine ≤ ULN, Measured or calculated creatinine clearance \> 60 ml per min
* Absolute neutrophil count ≤ 1500/µL, platelet count ≥ 100,000/µL
* Bilirubin ≤ ULN; ALT or AST ≤ 1.5 x ULN, and alkaline phosphatase ≤2.5 x ULN
* Patients must be available and compliant for treatment and follow-up

Exclusion Criteria

* Evidence of distant metastases by clinical or imaging diagnosis
* Multifocal primary tumor, defined as histologically confirmed tumor-manifestations within different quadrants; distance ≥ 4 cm
* Pre-existing motor or sensory neuropathy of a severity ≥ grade 2 NCI criteria
* Previous breast cancer
* Prior malignancy with a disease-free survival of \< 5 year
* Prior malignancy which has not been curatively treated
* Inflammatory breast cancer
* Prior systemic therapy for cancer
* Patients with immunosuppressive therapy
* Pregnant or lactating women
* Women of childbearing potential not using highly effective birth control
* Patients with known hypersensitivity reactions to the compounds or incorporated substances of trastuzumab or its constituents (for HER2+ tumors)
* Invasive malignancy which could affect compliance with the protocol or interpretation of results
* Other serious illness or medical condition including: Known or suspected congestive heart failure (\>NYHA I) and/or coronary heart disease, Angina pectoris requiring antianginal medication; Previous history of myocardial infarction, Evidence of transmural infarction on ECG, Un- or poorly controlled arterial hypertension (i.e. BP \>150/100 mmHg under treatment with two antihypertensive drugs), Rhythm abnormalities requiring permanent treatment; Clinically significant valvular heart disease, Patients with dyspnea at rest due to malignant or other disease or who require supportive oxygen therapy, Active serious uncontrolled infections, Poorly controlled diabetes, History of hypertensive crisis or hypertensive encephalopathy; History of TIA or CVA
* Neutrophil count of \< 1500, platelet count of \< 100,000/µL, Haemoglobin \< 10 g/dL
* Inadequate bone marrow, hepatic and renal functions as evidenced by the following: Serum total bilirubin \> ULN, ALT or AST \> 1.5 x ULN, Alkaline phosphatase \> 2.5 x ULN, serum creatinine \> ULN
* Concurrent treatment with any other anti-cancer therapy
* No informed consent for analysis of predictive imaging tests and biomarkers
* Contraindications against MRI: Cardiac pacemakers, other forms of medical or biostimulation implants, ferromagnetic foreign bodies or metallic implants (e.g. surgical protheses, aneurysm clips), implanted insulin pumps, valvular implants, allergy to contrast agent, renal insufficiency, claustrophobia
* Active peptic ulcer, incomplete wound healing or unhealed bone fracture
* Disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function, e.g. malabsorption syndrome, resection of the stomach or small bowel, ulcerative colitis, abdominal fistula, intra-abdominal abscess within 6 months of enrolment or gastrointestinal perforation
* Concurrent treatment with other experimental drugs; participation in another clinical trial with any investigational drug within 30 days prior to study entry
* Chronic daily treatment with corticosteroids (dose of \> 10 mg/day methylprednisolone equivalent) (excluding inhaled steroids)