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Higher number of microplastics in tumoral colon tissues from patients with colorectal adenocarcinoma
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Researchers found higher concentrations of microplastics in cancerous colon tissue compared to healthy tissue from the same patients, suggesting a possible link between microplastic accumulation and colorectal cancer, though this study cannot yet establish whether microplastics cause the disease.
Microplastics have been detected in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, yet the toxic effects of microplastics on living organisms are poorly known. In particular, there is few knowledge on the relationship between microplastic exposure and human cancer. Here we studied the occurrence of microplastics in tumoral and non-tumoral colon tissues of patients diagnosed with colorectal adenocarcinoma, and in colon tissues of subjects not diagnosed with colorectal cancer, as control. Microplastics were analyzed by attenuated total reflection-Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Results show that the number of microplastics in tumoral colon tissues is higher than the number of microplastics in non-tumoral colon tissues or control. The particle size of microplastics extracted from colon tissues ranges from 1 to 1299 μm. The microplastics included polyethylene, poly(methyl methacrylate), and Nylon (polyamide). Overall, our findings suggest a possible connection between colorectal cancer and microplastic exposure.
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Micro(Nano)Plastics and the Risk of Cancer Development: Calling for Attention to a Macro Issue
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Researchers examined the potential role of micro- and nanoplastics in cancer development, reviewing mechanistic evidence for how these ubiquitous particles may disrupt cellular processes and promote tumor-associated pathways. The paper calls for greater scientific and regulatory attention to the oncological risks of chronic low-level plastic particle exposure.
Microplastic Accumulation in the Human Lung: Distinct Signatures in Lung Cancer vs Normal Tissue
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (from things like packaging and bottles) in all the lung tissue samples they studied, both cancerous and healthy. Cancer samples tended to have more plastic bits, especially smaller fiber-shaped pieces made of common plastics like polypropylene and PET, but this was a small study, so it can't yet prove plastics cause cancer, just that they're worth investigating further. Bottom line: this adds to growing evidence that microplastics are showing up in our bodies, and researchers want to know if they're contributing to lung disease.
Micro-nano Plastics: Development of Carcinogenicity
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Researchers reviewed how micro- and nanoplastics may contribute to cancer development, examining the biological pathways by which these particles — now found throughout the human body — could trigger cell damage, inflammation, and potentially carcinogenic processes.
Long‑term exposure of polyethylene nanoplastics promotes colorectal tumorigenesis
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Researchers exposed mice to polyethylene nanoplastics over 66 days and found significantly more colon tumors and heavier tumor burdens compared to controls, with nanoplastics alone triggering colorectal polyps, suggesting these particles promote tumor initiation by disrupting mitochondrial structure and amplifying chronic intestinal inflammation.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.