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The clinical relevance of microplastic exposure on colorectal cancer: A systematic review
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This systematic review of four studies found that microplastic accumulation in colorectal cancer tissue (25.9-32.2 particles/g) was significantly higher than in healthy controls, with polyamide, polycarbonate, and polypropylene as the most common polymers detected. While a causal relationship has not been established, the evidence points to microplastics as a potential environmental factor in colorectal cancer development.
Microplastic exposure can contaminate multiple organs through nasal, dermal, and respiratory routes. The effect of microplastic exposure on colorectal adenocarcinoma development has gained attention. This systematic review aimed to summarize studies of microplastic exposure in humans with colorectal cancer. The relevant studies were collected through a computer-assisted search in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. A total of 747 documents were evaluated for eligibility by two independent authors. The quality assessment of eligible studies was evaluated by the JBI checklist, and required data were collected and extracted from the included studies. After analysis, four studies were found eligible. The microplastic infiltration in colorectal tissue biopsies was relatively high; polyamide, polycarbonate, and polypropylene polymers were among the most common polymers in colorectal tissue samples of patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma. The average particle size was 0.1 µm to 1.6 mm. Microplastics shape in colorectal cancerous tissue, including fibers, fragments, and films. Microplastic abundance in colorectal tumor tissue was 25.9-32.2 particles/g tissue. In the case-control study, the microplastic accumulation in colorectal cancer tissue samples was significantly higher than in controls. The etiology of colorectal cancer remains unclear; however, environmental factors are actively contributing to colorectal cancer development. While there are few studies on microplastics in patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma, existing evidence indicates microplastic accumulation in the colorectal tissue of these patients. Further research is needed to determine if microplastic exposure initiates or leads to the development of colorectal cancer events.
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Microplastics and colorectal cancer: presence in human colorectal tissues and associations with tumor biology
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This review of 13 studies found that microplastics, tiny plastic particles from everyday sources like packaging and synthetic fabrics, show up in higher amounts in colorectal cancer tumors than in surrounding healthy tissue. Higher microplastic levels were linked to more aggressive tumors, more inflammation, and disrupted gut barrier function, suggesting these particles may help create conditions that favor cancer growth. While this doesn't prove microplastics cause colorectal cancer, it's a strong signal that reducing plastic exposure could matter for gut health, and larger studies are needed to confirm the connection.
Microplastics and Colorectal Cancer: Presence in Human Colorectal Tissues and Associations with Tumor Biology- A Systematic Review
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This review of 13 studies found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics are present in human colon tissues, with higher amounts found in cancerous tumors compared to healthy tissue. The research suggests these plastic particles may contribute to colon cancer development by causing inflammation and creating conditions that help tumors grow. While more research is needed to prove a direct cause-and-effect relationship, this highlights growing concerns about how plastic pollution in our environment and food supply might affect human health.
Image 1_Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review.png
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This systematic review examines the potential link between microplastics and colorectal cancer. It found that humans ingest over 70,000 microplastic particles annually, and that higher concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics have been observed in colorectal tumor tissues compared to healthy tissue, suggesting a possible connection worth further investigation.
Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer
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Researchers examined tumor and surrounding tissue from colorectal cancer patients and found a diverse range of microplastics, including PVC and polyethylene, with tumor tissues containing a greater variety and higher distribution of microplastics than adjacent healthy tissue. A protein called clathrin that helps cells absorb materials was highly active in the cancer tissue, suggesting it may facilitate microplastic uptake and pointing to a potential link between microplastic exposure and colorectal cancer development.
Image 3_Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review.png
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review examines the potential link between microplastics and colorectal cancer. It found that humans ingest over 70,000 microplastic particles annually, and that higher concentrations of micro- and nanoplastics have been observed in colorectal tumor tissues compared to healthy tissue, suggesting a possible connection worth further investigation.
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