Lapatinib +/- Trastuzumab In Addition To Standard Neoadjuvant Breast Cancer Therapy.

Inclusion Criteria

• Have signed an informed consent form (ICF) and a Patient Authorization Form (HIPAA).
• Have histologically or cytologically confirmed ErbB2- (HER2/neu-) overexpressing invasive breast cancer (T2-4, N0-2).
• ErbB2 overexpressing breast cancer, defined as one of the following definitions:
• 3+ staining by immunohistochemistry (IHC),
• a fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) result of more than six HER2 gene copies per nucleus
• a FISH ratio of more than 2.2.
• Have either measurable or evaluable disease.
• Have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status (PS) of 0-1 (Refer to Section 11.4).
• Have LVEF within the institutional range of normal as measured by either echocardiogram (ECHO) or MUGA scans. The same modality must be used consistently throughout the study.
• Be deemed able to tolerate 8 cycles of preoperative chemotherapy, including 4 cycles with an anthracycline (epirubicin).
• Must be willing to undergo 2 mandatory core biopsies (4 passes each) after diagnosis to obtain tissue for biologic expression profiling. Any subject with clinically palpable residual disease may undergo an optional third biopsy to allow identification of presumed pathways of resistance to therapy. This information might be useful in providing the subject with options for other targeted therapies if definitive surgery confirms residual disease. Definitive local therapy with surgery and radiation therapy as indicated will be performed after completion of 12 weeks of paclitaxel-based chemotherapy.
• Are able to swallow and retain oral medication (intact pill).
• Are able to complete all screening assessments as outlined in the protocol.
• Have adequate organ function as defined in Table 4:

Table 1 Baseline Laboratory Values

Hematologic:

ANC (absolute neutrophil count) >1.5 x 109/L hemoglobin >9 g/dL platelets >75 x 109/L

Hepatic:

albumin >2.5 g/dL serum bilirubin 40 mL/min

• Are subjects aged >18 years with any menopausal status:

Non-child-bearing potential (i.e., women with functioning ovaries who have a current documented tubal ligation or hysterectomy, or women who are postmenopausal)

Child-bearing potential (i.e., women with functioning ovaries and no documented impairment of oviductal or uterine function that would cause sterility.) This category includes women with oligomenorrhea (severe), women who are perimenopausal, and young women who have begun to menstruate. These subjects must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening and agree to one of the following:

Complete abstinence from intercourse from 2 weeks prior to administration of the first dose of study medication until 28 days after the final dose of study medication; or Consistent and correct use of one of the following acceptable methods of birth control: male partner who is sterile prior to the female subject's entry into the study and is the sole sexual partner for that female subject; any intrauterine device (IUD) with a documented failure rate of less than 1% per year; oral contraceptives (either combined or progestogen only) where not contraindicated for this subject population or per local practice.; or barrier methods, including diaphragm or condom with a spermicide.

Please note that breast cancer subjects on this trial cannot receive injectable levonorgestrel or injectable progestogen due to the potential for an adverse effect of anti-hormonal therapies on chemotherapy administered for breast cancer [Albain, 2002]. Progestogen may also affect the proliferative rate of endocrine-responsive tumors.

Exclusion Criteria

• Have received any prior chemotherapy.
• Had prior therapy with an ErbB1 and/or ErbB2 inhibitor.
• Are receiving concurrent anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and biologic therapy) while taking study medication.
• Have malabsorption syndrome, disease significantly affecting gastrointestinal function, or resection of the stomach or small bowel. Women with ulcerative colitis are also exc