Nanoparticle Albumin-Bound (Nab) Paclitaxel/Cyclophosphamide in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Given the favorable activity demonstrated in a trial using the taxane docetaxel in combination with cyclophosphamide, we propose a Phase II trial of 4 cycles of weekly nab paclitaxel combined with cyclophosphamide. The favorable toxicity profile for weekly nab paclitaxel, in addition to its demonstrated superiority over standard paclitaxel in early-stage breast cancer, makes it an ideal taxane to evaluate in this setting. In this study, nab paclitaxel will be administered once weekly, in combination with q3wk cyclophosphamide. By using this combination therapy method, the goal of this study is to maximize the opportunity to demonstrate improved tolerability of adjuvant nab paclitaxel using a weekly dosing schedule in combination with q3wk cyclophosphamide. In this study, patients who demonstrate FISH or IHC3+ HER2 positivity and adequate cardiac function will also receive treatment with trastuzumab in addition to the nab paclitaxel / cyclophosphamide combination therapy. Trastuzumab will be administered IV using an 8 mg/kg loading dose on Day 1 of the treatment period. If no toxicity occurs, subsequent doses of trastuzumab will be administered IV as a 6 mg/kg dose approximately every 21 days for a total of 52 weeks (thus, maintenance therapy with trastuzumab will continue after the 12-week period of combination therapy with nab paclitaxel/cyclophosphamide/trastuzumab has ended).