A study to find more about the causes of breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)
Please note - this trial is no longer recruiting patients. We hope to add results when they are available.
Cancer type:
Status:
Phase:
Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is a very rare type of lymphoma that might be caused by the implants. A lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system.
This study is looking at tissue samples, breast implants and blood samples from women with breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.
More about this trial
Breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) might cause either:
- a lump
- swelling caused by a liquid tumour
In most cases this cancer can be successfully treated by removing the implant.
Doctors want to find out more about BIA-ALCL. In this study they will ask you for a sample of blood and any cancer tissue you may have removed during routine procedures.
Researchers will look at both abnormal and normal cells in these samples in the laboratory. They will look for genes that help the cancer cells to survive.
They will also look at proteins and sugars to see if these might help the cancer cells to survive.
The researchers will try to grow the cancer cells in the laboratory. They want to try various types of chemotherapy to monitor how the cells respond to these treatments.
The aim of this study is to understand more about how changes to certain genes, proteins and sugars could affect how BIA-ALCL develops. This may help develop new treatments for this condition in future.
You will not have any direct benefit from taking part in this study, and it is unlikely to change your treatment plan in any way. But the results of the study will be used to help people with BIA-ALCL in the future.
Who can enter
You can enter this study if you have been diagnosed with breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). This is a very rare type of non Hodgkin lymphoma.
Trial design
The study team will ask for:
- a blood sample
- a sample of the cancer (tissue or fluid) from when you were diagnosed
- the implant if it is removed
They will use the blood sample to look to at the DNA in your genes. And use the tissue, or fluid, sample and the implant to find more about the cancer.
They will try and grow the cancer in the lab using the sample of cancer tissue.
The team also need to look at your medical notes to find about:
- why you had the breast implant done
- when you had it done
- what type of implant it was
- any previous treatment such as surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy
- when you were diagnosed with BIA-ALCL and how bad it was
Hospital visits
You will not have to make any extra hospital visits, just those that are part of your routine treatment.
Side effects
As there are no treatments in this study, there are no side effects.
Recruitment start:
Recruitment end:
How to join a clinical trial
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Chief Investigator
Dr Suzanne Turner
Supported by
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
University of Cambridge
If you have questions about the trial please contact our cancer information nurses
Freephone 0808 800 4040
