Quick blog, but there was a big splash about a rare cancer associated with breast augmentation using implants called ALCL. Please read my blogs on the subject. With time, we have figured out it is with textured implants, it is likely related to chronic inflammation with biofilm, is super rare, is seen with the coarser texture used by Allergan/McGhan more frequently, and usually presents with a seroma (a fluid collection).
But could we find it earlier and more easily?
Study:
Granzyme B is secreted by cytotoxic lymphocytes. It is seen with tumor cells in patients with ALCL. Could it be used as a screening tool? They looked at Granzyme B concentrations between malignant and benign seromas (fluid collections).
Findings?
On average Granzyme B levels were 5761 pg/ml in cancers, and 314 pg/ml in benign fluid collections. (The concentration of Granzyme B in human plasma is 20-40 pg/ml).
Significant differences were seen in the concentration, suggesting it may be involved with tumor cell death. They conclude it is a useful marker for early detection of malignant seromas and to identify tumor cells in seromas and capsules. There is overlap though with benign seromas, so it needs to be used as part of a biomarker screen for early detection of ALCL.
My thoughts?
Information is good. The more tools we have to evaluate if a fluid collection around a textured implant is cancerous the better.