Trastuzumab or Observation After Combination Chemotherapy and Trastuzumab in Treating Patients Undergoing Surgery for Stage II or Stage III Breast Cancer

Summary

RATIONALE: Drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Monoclonal antibodies, such as trastuzumab, can block tumor growth in different ways. Some block the ability of tumor cells to grow and spread. Others find tumor cells and help kill them or carry tumor-killing substances to them. Giving combination chemotherapy together with trastuzumab before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed. Giving trastuzumab after surgery may kill any tumor cells that remain after surgery. Sometimes, after surgery, the tumor may not need more treatment until it progresses. In this case, observation may be sufficient. It is not yet known whether trastuzumab is more effective than observation when given after combination chemotherapy and trastuzumab in treating patients with breast cancer. PURPOSE: This randomized phase II trial is studying trastuzumab to see how well it works compared with observation when given after combination chemotherapy and trastuzumab in treating patients undergoing surgery for stage II or stage III breast cancer.

Timeline

Start

2006-09

Primary completion

2009-12

Completion

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Drugs

Indications