High-Dose chemo combo shows promise for tough breast cancers

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: * Histologically confirmed invasive adenocarcinoma of the breast, meeting any of the following criteria: * T4, NX, M0 * Any T, N2-N3, M0 * Inflammatory breast cancer (redness over at least one-third of the breast), M0 * No evidence of metastatic disease by chest x-ray, abdominal ultrasound or CT scan and bone scan * Diagnosed within the past 8 weeks * Hormone receptor status: * Not specified PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age * 16 and over Sex * Female Menopausal status * Not specified Performance status * ECOG 0-2 Life expectancy * Not specified Hematopoietic * Absolute granulocyte count at least 2,000/mm\^3 * Platelet count at least 100,000/mm\^3 * Hemoglobin at least 10 g/dL Hepatic * Bilirubin less than upper limit of normal (ULN) * Must meet criteria for 1 of the following: * ALT and AST no greater than 1.5 times ULN AND alkaline phosphatase no greater than 2.5 times ULN * ALT and AST normal AND alkaline phosphatase no greater than 5 times ULN Renal * Creatinine no greater than 1.5 times ULN Cardiovascular * Resting LVEF normal by MUGA or echocardiogram * No congestive heart failure * No angina pectoris * No myocardial infarction within the past year * No uncontrolled hypertension * No uncontrolled arrhythmias Other * Not pregnant or nursing * Negative pregnancy test * Fertile patients must use effective non-hormonal contraception * No other malignancy within the past 5 years except adequately treated nonmelanoma skin cancer or curatively treated carcinoma in situ of the cervix * No symptomatic peripheral neuropathy grade 2 or greater * No active infection * No history of significant neurological or psychiatric disorders, including dementia or seizures * No peptic ulcer * No unstable diabetes mellitus * No contraindication to dexamethasone * No known sensitivity to E. coli-derived or polyethylene glycol products * Willing to undergo core biopsies once prior to registration and core biopsies at 2 other timepoints while on study * Geographically accessible for treatment and follow-up PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY: Biologic therapy * No prior immunotherapy for breast cancer Chemotherapy * No prior chemotherapy for breast cancer Endocrine therapy * No prior hormonal therapy for breast cancer * No concurrent corticosteroids except for premedication or hypersensitivity reaction * No concurrent oral contraception Radiotherapy * No prior radiotherapy for breast cancer Surgery * No prior surgery for breast cancer other than biopsy Other * No prior systemic therapy for breast cancer * No other concurrent investigational drugs or anticancer treatment * No concurrent preventative IV antibiotics