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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Long-term low-dose exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics induces morphological and transcriptional reprogramming to enhance metastatic potential of colorectal cancer cells
ClearMicroplastics role in cell migration and distribution during cancer cell division
Researchers exposed human colorectal cancer cells to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics and found the particles persisted inside cells without being eliminated, were passed from parent to daughter cells during division, and significantly increased cell migration -- a key step in cancer spreading. These findings suggest microplastics could act as hidden promoters of tumor progression in the gut, where plastic exposure through food is highest.
Long-term exposure to nanoplastics alters molecular and functional traits related to the carcinogenic process
Researchers exposed cells to polystyrene nanoplastics for six months and found that long-term exposure activated multiple molecular markers associated with cancer development, including enhanced cell migration, invasion potential, and ability to grow independently. The study suggests that chronic nanoplastic exposure may pose a carcinogenic risk, though further research is needed to confirm these findings in living organisms.
Chronic Exposure to Nanoplastics Alters Stem Cell Type-Specific Mechanisms, Promoting Cancer Development
Researchers investigated the long-term effects of PET and polystyrene nanoplastics on mammary stem cells and found that chronic exposure enhanced self-renewal capacity and altered three-dimensional organization without impairing normal differentiation. Both types of nanoplastics significantly increased cell invasiveness and anchorage-independent growth through distinct molecular mechanisms, indicating a shift toward more aggressive cellular behavior. The study suggests that prolonged nanoplastic exposure may contribute to early pre-cancerous changes in stem cells.
Polystyrene nanoplastics promote colitis-associated cancer by disrupting lipid metabolism and inducing DNA damage
In a mouse study, polystyrene nanoplastics accelerated the development of colon cancer linked to inflammatory bowel disease by disrupting fat metabolism and causing DNA damage in intestinal cells. The nanoplastics also altered gut bacteria and increased intestinal inflammation, suggesting that plastic particle exposure could worsen outcomes for people already at risk for colon cancer.
Polystyrene Microplastics Stimulate the Wnt Pathway to Cause Colorectal Cancer
Researchers investigated the role of polystyrene microplastics in colorectal cancer development and found that PS-MPs activate the Wnt signaling pathway, promoting tumor cell proliferation and migration. The findings provide mechanistic evidence linking dietary microplastic exposure to colorectal cancer progression.
Microplastics’ Impact on the Development of AOM/DSS-Induced Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer in Mice
Researchers used a mouse model of colitis-associated colorectal cancer and found that chronic polystyrene microplastic exposure (1.48 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks) increased tumor nodule number and promoted cancer development, providing experimental evidence linking microplastic ingestion to colorectal carcinogenesis.
Effect of polystyrene nanoplastics and their degraded forms on stem cell fate
Researchers studied how polystyrene nanoplastics and their degraded forms affect human bone marrow-derived stem cells. They found that both intact and degraded nanoplastics showed reactive oxygen species scavenging activity, enhanced mitochondrial fusion, and promoted cell proliferation and fat cell differentiation. However, the degraded nanoplastics showed higher long-term cytotoxicity, suggesting that as nanoplastics break down in the environment, their biological effects on human cells may change.
Long-Term Effects of Polystyrene Nanoplastics in Human Intestinal Caco-2 Cells
Researchers exposed human intestinal cells to polystyrene nanoplastics over an extended period to simulate chronic dietary exposure. They found that long-term exposure at low concentrations caused subtle but persistent changes in cell function, including altered gene expression and increased oxidative stress markers. The study highlights that the health effects of nanoplastics may build up gradually over time, underscoring the importance of studying chronic rather than just short-term exposure.
Polystyrene Nanoplastics at an Environmentally Relevant Concentration Promote Ovarian Cancer Progression via CDK4/6-Dependent Signaling
Researchers demonstrated that polystyrene nanoplastics at concentrations as low as 20 μg/mL—consistent with environmental exposure levels—significantly promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation through CDK4/6 signaling, providing evidence of a potential carcinogenic risk from nanoplastic exposure.
Effects of polystyrene nano- and microplastics on human breast epithelial cells and human breast cancer cells
Researchers tested how polystyrene nano- and microplastics affect both normal human breast cells and breast cancer cells in the lab. The plastic particles were absorbed by both cell types and caused slight but significant increases in cell growth and migration, behaviors associated with cancer progression. While this is a lab study, it raises questions about whether microplastic accumulation in breast tissue could influence cancer development.
Nanoplastics Shape Adaptive Anticancer Immunity in the Colon in Mice
In a mouse study, researchers found that orally administered polyethylene nanoplastics disrupted the intestinal immune environment in ways that could favor tumor growth in the colon. The nanoplastics altered immune cell populations and promoted an immunosuppressive environment around colorectal tumors. The study suggests that nanoplastic exposure may influence how the immune system responds to abnormal cell growth in the gut.
Polystyrene nanoplastics affect transcriptomic and epigenomic signatures of human fibroblasts and derived induced pluripotent stem cells: Implications for human health
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics altered transcriptomic and epigenomic signatures in human fibroblasts and derived induced pluripotent stem cells, demonstrating that plastic particle exposure can cause lasting molecular changes with potential implications for human health.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics in a colitis mouse model – effects on biodistribution, macrophage polarization, and gut microbiome
Researchers exposed colitis mouse models to polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics to test whether MNP exposure worsens inflammatory bowel disease, finding that MNPs altered biodistribution and exacerbated inflammatory responses in animals with pre-existing gut inflammation.
DistinctEffects between Polystyrene Micro- and Nanoplastics:Exacerbation of Adverse Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease-likeZebrafish and Mice
Researchers compared the effects of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics on a biological system, finding that nanoplastics caused more severe adverse effects than microplastics at equivalent mass doses, likely due to greater surface area and cellular penetration capacity.
Polystyrene nanoparticle exposure accelerates ovarian cancer development in mice by altering the tumor microenvironment
A study in mice found that exposure to tiny polystyrene nanoplastics (100 nanometers) through drinking water significantly accelerated the growth of ovarian cancer tumors. The nanoplastics altered the tumor's surrounding environment and disrupted immune-related gene expression, creating conditions that favored cancer progression. This is concerning because it suggests everyday nanoplastic exposure could potentially worsen cancer outcomes in humans.
Polystyrene Nanoplasticsat an Environmentally RelevantConcentration Promote Ovarian Cancer Progression via CDK4/6-DependentSignaling
Researchers found that polystyrene nanoplastics at environmentally relevant concentrations (20 μg/mL) promoted ovarian cancer cell proliferation through CDK4/6-dependent signaling, representing the first evidence that environmentally relevant nanoplastic levels may drive ovarian cancer progression.
Effects of microplastics on chemo-resistance and tumorigenesis of colorectal cancer
For the first time, researchers confirmed the presence of microplastics in human colorectal cancer tissue and showed in animal models that microplastics increased cancer rates and made tumors more resistant to chemotherapy drugs. The study found that microplastics trigger a cell survival mechanism called autophagy that helps cancer cells resist treatment, suggesting plastic pollution could complicate cancer outcomes.
Evaluation of the infiltration of polystyrene nanobeads in zebrafish embryo tissues after short-term exposure and the related biochemical and behavioural effects
Researchers exposed zebrafish embryos to fluorescent polystyrene nanobeads and used confocal microscopy to confirm nanoplastic uptake beyond the gut — migrating into surrounding tissues — while biochemical markers revealed decreased cyclooxygenase activity, elevated superoxide dismutase, and altered swimming behavior, demonstrating tissue-infiltrating potential after only 48 hours of exposure.
Polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics aggravates colitis in a mouse model – effects on biodistribution, macrophage polarization, and gut microbiome
Researchers found that polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics aggravated colitis symptoms in a mouse model, increasing gut permeability, inflammatory cytokine levels, and tissue damage compared to controls. The study provides mechanistic evidence linking microplastic exposure to worsening of inflammatory bowel conditions.
Microplastics as emerging carcinogens: from environmental pollutants to oncogenic drivers
This review examines growing evidence that microplastics and nanoplastics may play a role in cancer development, with these particles found in human tumor tissues from the lungs, colon, stomach, breast, and other organs. The particles appear to promote cancer through chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and disruption of key cancer-related signaling pathways. While direct proof of causation in humans is still lacking, the accumulating evidence from lab studies, animal experiments, and human tissue analysis suggests microplastics deserve serious attention as potential contributors to cancer risk.