This prospective clinical trial will determine if the tumor RDA score can predict for pCR after the first, second, and third cycles of chemotherapy in women with breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant therapy. Tumor RDA score will also be measured after the first dose of any new chemotherapy agent if residual palpable disease is present.
Data will be collected until accrual target of 30 patients is met. All patients will undergo core needle biopsy of the breast tumor and analysis of ER, PR, and HER-2-Neu receptors. Patients will receive neoadjuvant therapy as recommended by their treating physicians. All chemotherapy regimens will be acceptable for participation in this study. Usually, these regimens are between 6 to 8 cycles, often with a switch of chemotherapy regimens after 3 to 4 cycles.
Evaluation of tumor size will be determined by 2 axis tumor measurement performed prior to, and after each chemotherapy treatment. The Tumor RDA score will be evaluated by performing fine needle aspiration (FNA) biopsies under local anesthetic, if the tumor is clinically palpable, after the first, second, and third cycles of chemotherapy. Tumor RDA score will also be determined if palpable tumor is present after the first cycle of any second chemotherapy agent.
