Sunitinib Malate, Paclitaxel, Doxorubicin Hydrochloride, and Cyclophosphamide Before Surgery in Treating Patients With Stage IIB-IIIC Breast Cancer

This phase II trial studies how well giving sunitinib malate together with paclitaxel, doxorubicin hydrochloride, and cyclophosphamide before surgery works in treating patients with stage IIB-IIIC breast cancer. Sunitinib malate may stop the growth of tumor cells by blocking some of the enzymes needed for cell growth or by blocking blood flow to the tumor. Drugs used in chemotherapy, such as paclitaxel, doxorubicin hydrochloride, and cyclophosphamide, work in different ways to stop the growth of tumor cells, either by killing the cells or by stopping them from dividing. Giving sunitinib malate together with combination chemotherapy before surgery may make the tumor smaller and reduce the amount of normal tissue that needs to be removed