Breast Implants and Immune Modulation

we hypothesize there is a link between breast implant-induced local inflammation and a subsequent systemic immune response that alters the body’s immunosurveillance capability to recognize breast tumor cells that protects against, rather than promotes, tumor development. To test our hypothesis, we will assay patient blood before and after implant placement for humoral (B-cell mediated) and T-cell recognition of breast cancerassociated antigens. We also will characterize the inflammatory response present around implant capsules and relate this to the presence or absence of systemic immune responses.