Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin and Docetaxel in Treating Women With Locally Advanced Breast Cancer That Can Be Removed By Surgery

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

Histologically or cytologically confirmed breast cancer using core biopsies

Locally advanced disease
Resectable disease
Fine needle aspiration cytology allowed and must demonstrate invasive adenocarcinoma
No more than 8 weeks since initial cytologic or histologic diagnosis of breast cancer

Tumor must meet the following criteria:

Palpable on clinical examination and confined to either the breast or to the breast and ipsilateral axilla
Measured clinically as greater than 2 cm in size (T2)

Patients with skeletal pain are eligible if bone scan and/or roentgenological examination fail to disclose metastatic disease

Suspicious findings must be confirmed as benign by x-ray, MRI scan, or biopsy
Hormonal status not specified

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

Inclusion criteria:

Female
Menopausal status not specified
ECOG performance status 0-2
Life expectancy ≥ 10 years
Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm³
ANC ≥ 1,500/mm³
Hemoglobin ≥ 9.0 g/dL
Bilirubin normal
AST or ALT normal
Alkaline phosphatase normal
Serum creatinine normal
Negative pregnancy test
Fertile patients must use effective contraception (e.g., abstinence, intrauterine device, barrier device with spermicide, or surgical sterilization) during and for 3 months after completion of study therapy
Normal cardiac function by LVEF or MUGA scan

Patients with prior non-breast malignancies are eligible if they have been disease-free for ≥ 10 years

The following are allowed even if diagnosed within the past 10 years:

Squamous or basal cell carcinoma of the skin that has been effectively treated
Carcinoma in situ of the cervix that has been treated by operation only
Lobular carcinoma in situ of the ipsilateral or contralateral breast treated by segmental resection only

Exclusion criteria:

Pregnant or lactating women
Male patients
Hyperbilirubinemia

Female patients with 1 or more of the following conditions:

Ulceration, erythema, infiltration of the skin (complete fixation), or peau d'orange (edema) of any magnitude

Tethering or dimpling of the skin or nipple inversion should not be interpreted as skin infiltration
Ipsilateral lymph nodes that are clinically fixed to one another or to other structures (N2 disease)
Bilateral malignancy or a mass in the opposite breast suspicious for malignancy, unless there is biopsy proof that the mass is not malignant
Suspicious palpable nodes in the contralateral axilla or palpable supraclavicular or infraclavicular nodes, unless there is biopsy evidence that these are not involved with the tumor
Nonmalignant systemic disease (e.g., cardiovascular, renal, or hepatic) that would preclude study therapy

Active cardiac disease that would preclude the use of doxorubicin hydrochloride, including any of the following:

Documented myocardial infarction
Angina pectoris that requires the use of antianginal medication
History of documented New York Heart Association class II-IV heart failure
Valvular disease with documented cardiac function compromise

Poorly controlled hypertension (i.e., diastolic BP > 100 mm Hg)

Patients with well-controlled hypertension and on medication are eligible for study
Psychiatric or addictive disorders that would preclude obtaining informed consent

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

Inclusion criteria:

Concurrent noncancer therapies allowed if used for conditions other than breast cancer
Adjuvant therapy after surgery allowed

Exclusion criteria:

Prior radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and/or hormonal therapy for breast cancer
Prior anthracycline therapy for any condition
Concurrent hormonal therapy including tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, or raloxifene
Concurrent sex hormonal therapy including birth-control pills or ovarian hormonal replacement therapy
Concurrent other cancer therapy
Concurrent herbal or alternative therapies for breast cancer