Minocycline Hydrochloride in Reducing Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy and Acute Pain in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Treatment With Paclitaxel

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES: I. To estimate whether minocycline hydrochloride (minocycline) can alleviate paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy. II. To estimate whether minocycline can alleviate paclitaxel acute pain syndrome (P-APS). III. To examine the possible relative toxicities related to minocycline therapy in this study situation. OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms. ARM I: Patients receive minocycline hydrochloride orally (PO) twice daily (BID) on days 1-7. Treatment repeats every 7 days for up to 12 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. ARM II: Patients receive a placebo PO BID on days 1-7. Treatment repeats every 7 days for up to 12 courses in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. After completion of the study, patients are followed up every month for 6 months.