Inclusion Criteria:

1. Written informed consent for all study procedures according to local regulatory
requirements prior to beginning of specific protocol procedures.

2. Complete baseline documentation must be sent to GBG Forschungs GmbH.

3. Unilateral primary carcinoma of the breast, confirmed histologically by core biopsy.
Fine-needle aspiration is not sufficient. Incisional biopsy is not allowed. Tumor
lesion in the breast with a sonographical size of ≥ 2 cm in maximum diameter. The
lesion has to be measurable in two dimensions, preferably by sonography. In case of
inflammatory disease, the extent of inflammation can be used as measurable lesion.

4. Operable or locally advanced or inflammatory breast cancer (cT2 - cT4a-d). In
patients with multifocal or multicentric breast cancer, the largest lesion should be
measured.

5. Centrally confirmed positive HER2 status detected on core biopsy. HER2-positive is
defined as IHC 3+ by a validated test method or FISH/SISH ratio > 2.0.
Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) breast tissue from core biopsy has therefore
to be sent to the Department of Pathology at the Charité, Berlin, prior to
regsitration.

6. Centrally confirmed hormone receptor status (ER/PgR).

7. Age ≥ 18 years.

8. Karnofsky Performance status ≥ 80%.

9. Normal cardiac function must be confirmed by ECG and cardiac ultrasound (LVEF or
shortening fraction) within 3 months prior to registration. Results must be above
55%.

10. Laboratory requirements:

Hematology

- Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) ≥ 2.0 x 109/L and

- Platelets ≥ 100 x 109/L and

- Hemoglobin ≥ 10 g/dL (≥ 6.2 mmol/L) Hepatic function

- Total bilirubin ≤ 1.5x UNL and

- ASAT (SGOT) and ALAT (SGPT) ≤ 1.5x UNL and

- Alkaline phosphatase ≤ 2.5x UNL. Renal function

- Creatinine ≤ 175 µmol/L (2 mg/dL) < 1.5x UNL.

11. Negative pregnancy test (urine or serum) within 14 days prior to registration for all
women of childbearing potential.

12. Complete staging work-up within 3 months prior to registration. All patients must
have bilateral mammography, breast ultrasound (≤ 21 days), breast MRI (optional),
chest X-ray (PA and lateral), abdominal ultrasound or CT scan or MRI, and bone scan
done. In case of positive bone scan, bone X-ray is mandatory. Other tests may be
performed as clinically indicated.

13. Patients must be available and compliant for treatment and follow-up. Patients
registered on this trial must be treated at the participating or at a cooperating
centre.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Bilateral breast cancer.

2. Prior chemotherapy for any malignancy.

3. Prior radiation therapy for breast cancer.

4. Pregnant or lactating patients. Patients of childbearing potential must implement
adequate non-hormonal contraceptive measures (barrier methods, intrauterine
contraceptive devices, sterilisation) during study treatment.

5. Inadequate general condition (not fit for anthracycline-taxane based chemotherapy) as
per investigator´s assessment.

6. Previous malignant disease with a disease-free period of less than 5 years (except
CIS of the cervix and non-melanomatous skin cancer).

7. Known or pre-existing interstitial lung disease.

8. Known or suspected congestive heart failure (NYHA > I) or coronary heart disease,
angina pectoris requiring antianginal medication, previous history of myocardial
infarction, evidence of transmural infarction on ECG, uncontrolled or poorly
controlled arterial hypertension (i.e. BP > 160/90 mm Hg under treatment with two
antihypertensive drugs), rhythm abnormalities requiring permanent treatment,
clinically significant valvular heart disease.

9. History of significant neurological or psychiatric disorders including psychotic
disorders, dementia or seizures that would prohibit the understanding and giving of
informed consent.

10. Chronic-inflammatory bowel diseases.

11. Pre-existing motor or sensory neuropathy of a severity grade ≥ 2 by NCI-CTCAE
criteria.

12. No evidence or history of infection (including hepatitis B, C or HIV).

13. Known hypersensitivity reaction to one of the investigational compounds or
incorporated substances used in this protocol.

14. Definite contraindications for the use of corticosteroids except inhalative
corticoids.

15. Concurrent treatment with:

- chronic corticosteroids unless initiated > 6 months prior to study entry and at
low dose (≤ 10 mg methylprednisolone or equivalent).

- sex hormones. Prior treatment must be stopped before study entry.

- other experimental drugs or any other anti-cancer therapy.

16. Participation in another clinical trial with any investigational, not marketed drug
within 30 days prior to study entry.

17. Male patients.