A Physician Speaks

[Guest guest]

http://npntserver.mcg.edu/html/SIS/newsletters/Summer1995.html

Physician SpeaksDr. Nachman Brautbar, M.D., F.A.C.P.

University of Southern California, School of Medicine

Silicone is a Potential Carcinogen

Several recent data in the literature support the notion that silicone is a

potential carcinogen, and a possible human carcinogen. Silicone has direct effects on natural killer cell activity in patients:

Natural killer cells, a cornerstone of the immune system, have the

responsibility of controlling tumor cell growth, are involved in control of

microbial infection, and they have immunoregulatory properties as well as a

role in development of graft versus host disease. In 1994 we have shown

that natural killer cell activity in patients with silicone breast implants

is significantly reduced, and that this suppressed activity was associated

with additional imminological abnormalities, ( Vojdani,, Brautbar,

1992 A )

Each patient serving as her own control showed very clearly that the

suppressed function of natural killer cell activity has improved in at least

50% of the patients upon removal of the silicone breast implants. We have

proposed that since natural killer cells are important in the control of

tumor cell growth, patients with reduced or impaired natural killer cell

activity as a result of SBI have a higher risk of developing CANCER. Recent studies by on Potter from the National Cancer Institute clearly

demonstrate that in mice who are genetically predisposed, silicone gel

injection caused development of plasmacytomas, and indeed, that study was

followed by a call from the editorial board of the Journal, for

epidemiological studies in patients with silicone breast implants, to

further evaluate the risk of hematological malignancy.

Indeed, in the most recent meeting of the National Cancer Institute at the

National Institute of Health (March 13th and 14th, 1995), A workshop on the

immunology os silicone was held. Several investigators presented data and

studies suggesting an increased incidence of MYELOMA in patients with

breast implants. Silica is released from silicone implants.

Silicone is not inert, it biodegrades in the body and releases silica. Since

silica is shown to be immunogenic and carcinogenic, it is highly probable

that in those individuals where silica is released, it plays an important

role in the source carcinogenic mechanism. There was another study done

by Julio -Roman in 1993 that indicated that a total of 50 subjects

underwent a prospective study, including immunological HLA typing,

radiological functions and respiratory as well as ophthalmological, after

exposure to silica. They have found that 64% of the patients had systemic

disease such as Sjogrens disease, systemic sclerosis, systemic lupus

erythematosus and overlape syndrome. Anti-nuclear antibodies were present in

72% of the patients. The frequency of HLA DR3 was increased in the

clinically affected subjects, but did not reach statistical significance. They concluded that workers exposed to silica developed a multiplespectrum of

clinical, serological and autoimmune manifestations, compatible with a

direct effect of silica on the immune system.

It is suggested that the International Agency for Research on Cancer

re-evaluate their position on silicones and establish criteria for

classifying silicone as an animal carcinogen and a potential human

carcinogen in the near future.

I agree with Dr. Salmon and Dr. that reports must be immediately

provided to the F.D.A. and the National Institute of Cancer, and the National

Institute of Health in regards to multiple myeloma and silicone breast

implants, but it is our position that other carcinomatosis should be reported

in patients with silicone breast implants, weather these are central nervous

system carcinomatosis, pulmonary carcinomatosis, breast carcinomatosis,

gastrointestinal carcinomatosis, or hematological carcinomatosis.

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