Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer

Abstract The widespread occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has raised significant concerns regarding their potential health impacts, particularly in relation to carcinogenesis. This study aimed to identify and analyze microplastics present in peritumoral and tumor tissues of patien...

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Main Authors: Wen Pan, Jie Hao, Mingqing Zhang, Hui Liu, Fei Tian, Xipeng Zhang, Zhansheng Jiang, Chong Chen, Ming Gao, Haiyang Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98268-6
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author Wen Pan
Jie Hao
Mingqing Zhang
Hui Liu
Fei Tian
Xipeng Zhang
Zhansheng Jiang
Chong Chen
Ming Gao
Haiyang Zhang
author_facet Wen Pan
Jie Hao
Mingqing Zhang
Hui Liu
Fei Tian
Xipeng Zhang
Zhansheng Jiang
Chong Chen
Ming Gao
Haiyang Zhang
author_sort Wen Pan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The widespread occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has raised significant concerns regarding their potential health impacts, particularly in relation to carcinogenesis. This study aimed to identify and analyze microplastics present in peritumoral and tumor tissues of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). Utilizing advanced scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser direct infrared (LDIR) imaging systems, we systematically examined tissue samples to detect and characterize the microplastics. Our findings revealed a diverse array of microplastic types, notably polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE), within both peritumoral and tumor regions. Compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues, tumor tissues exhibited a greater variety and distribution of microplastics. Furthermore, Clathrin—a key protein involved in endocytosis—was found to be highly expressed in colorectal cancer specimens, facilitating the substantial uptake of microplastics. These results suggest a potential association between exposure to microplastics and the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. This study highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and regulatory measures aimed at mitigating microplastic pollution along with its associated health risks.
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institution OA Journals
issn 2045-2322
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publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-914e32c8989246618667b26bbd80bd472025-08-20T01:49:42ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-05-0115111310.1038/s41598-025-98268-6Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancerWen Pan0Jie Hao1Mingqing Zhang2Hui Liu3Fei Tian4Xipeng Zhang5Zhansheng Jiang6Chong Chen7Ming Gao8Haiyang Zhang9Tianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineTianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineTianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineTianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineTianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineTianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineTianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineTianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineTianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineTianjin Institute of Coloproctology, Tianjin Union Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nankai University, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Instituteand Hospital, National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Tianjin Cancer Institute of Integrative Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineAbstract The widespread occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment has raised significant concerns regarding their potential health impacts, particularly in relation to carcinogenesis. This study aimed to identify and analyze microplastics present in peritumoral and tumor tissues of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC). Utilizing advanced scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser direct infrared (LDIR) imaging systems, we systematically examined tissue samples to detect and characterize the microplastics. Our findings revealed a diverse array of microplastic types, notably polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE), within both peritumoral and tumor regions. Compared to adjacent non-cancerous tissues, tumor tissues exhibited a greater variety and distribution of microplastics. Furthermore, Clathrin—a key protein involved in endocytosis—was found to be highly expressed in colorectal cancer specimens, facilitating the substantial uptake of microplastics. These results suggest a potential association between exposure to microplastics and the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. This study highlights the urgent need for increased awareness and regulatory measures aimed at mitigating microplastic pollution along with its associated health risks.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98268-6MicroplasticsColorectal cancerLaser direct infrared imagingEndocytosisHealth risks
spellingShingle Wen Pan
Jie Hao
Mingqing Zhang
Hui Liu
Fei Tian
Xipeng Zhang
Zhansheng Jiang
Chong Chen
Ming Gao
Haiyang Zhang
Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer
Scientific Reports
Microplastics
Colorectal cancer
Laser direct infrared imaging
Endocytosis
Health risks
title Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer
title_full Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer
title_fullStr Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer
title_full_unstemmed Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer
title_short Identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer
title_sort identification and analysis of microplastics in peritumoral and tumor tissues of colorectal cancer
topic Microplastics
Colorectal cancer
Laser direct infrared imaging
Endocytosis
Health risks
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98268-6
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