Monoclonal Antibody Plus Chemotherapy in Treating Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer That Overexpresses HER2

Overview

RATIONALE: Monoclonal antibodies such as trastuzumab can locate tumor cells and deliver tumor-killing substances to them without harming normal cells. Drugs used in chemotherapy use different ways to make tumor cells stop dividing so they stop growing or die. Combining monoclonal antibody therapy with chemotherapy may kill more tumor cells. PURPOSE: Phase II trial to study the effectiveness of trastuzumab plus paclitaxel in treating patients who have metastatic breast cancer that overexpresses HER2.

OBJECTIVES: * Determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of trastuzumab (Herceptin) and paclitaxel in patients with HER2-overexpressing metastatic breast cancer. * Provide access to trastuzumab and paclitaxel for these patients. OUTLINE: Patients receive trastuzumab (Herceptin) IV over 30-90 minutes and paclitaxel IV over 1 hour weekly. Patients receive trastuzumab alone during course 1 and then in combination with paclitaxel during subsequent courses. Courses repeat every 4 weeks until patients achieve a sustained complete response of 8 weeks or disease progression occurs. PROJECTED ACCRUAL: A total of 55 patients will be accrued for this study within 2 years.

Conditions

Interventions