Neoadjuvant Trastuzumab and Paclitaxel Combination Induces a High Rate of Pathological Complete Responses in Locally Advanced Breast Cancer by Exploiting Host Antitumor Immunity.

Abstract

Abstract Background: A phase II study was performed to assess the role of patients’ immune profile in the activity of a trastuzumab-based, non anthracycline containing neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NC) regimen in locally advanced breast cancer (BC) patients (pts). Methods: Newly diagnosed T2-3 HER2+ BC pts received a 12 week NC with weekly paclitaxel and trastuzumab, which was continued for further 12 weeks before surgery in the absence of progression (PRO). Further 12 weeks of the same therapy was planned after surgery and then trastuzumab alone to 1 year of treatment ± hormonal therapy and radiotherapy. In case of PRO, trastuzumab was discontinued and anthracyclin..