Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review
ObjectiveMicroplastics (MPs, 0.1–5000 μm) and nanoplastics (NPs, 0.001–0.1 μm) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with strong persistence and bioaccumulation, posing significant threats to human health. Given their ability to penetrate biological barriers, accumulate in the food chain, and infi...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1653245/full |
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| author | Junkai Wen Yuhua Lin Yuhua Lin |
| author_facet | Junkai Wen Yuhua Lin Yuhua Lin |
| author_sort | Junkai Wen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveMicroplastics (MPs, 0.1–5000 μm) and nanoplastics (NPs, 0.001–0.1 μm) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with strong persistence and bioaccumulation, posing significant threats to human health. Given their ability to penetrate biological barriers, accumulate in the food chain, and infiltrate human gastrointestinal tissues, humans ingest and inhale over 70,000 microplastic particles annually, and the observed higher abundance of MPs/NPs in colorectal tumor tissues in epidemiological data, this systematic review aims to explore the link between MPs/NPs exposure and colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis.MethodsThis study synthesizes 20 years of relevant research to systematically analyze the association between MPs/NPs exposure and CRC development.ResultsKey findings reveal that MPs/NPs enter the body via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, translocating across biological barriers to induce DNA damage and oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species overproduction. They disrupt intestinal barrier function by reducing tight junction proteins, trigger chronic inflammation via pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cause gut microbiota dysbiosis. Additionally, MPs/NPs act as “Trojan horses”, adsorbing toxicants (e.g., bisphenol A) and pathogens, which exacerbate cytotoxicity and activate carcinogenic pathways.ConclusionThis review highlights the potential carcinogenic risk of MPs/NPs in CRC, deepens understanding of their mechanistic roles in carcinogenesis, and provides insights for the scientific management of MPs/NPs pollution. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c63d979081e345f09196ee2c0212f03c |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-c63d979081e345f09196ee2c0212f03c2025-08-20T03:47:16ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-08-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.16532451653245Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic reviewJunkai Wen0Yuhua Lin1Yuhua Lin2Department of Oncology, Shuguang Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Xiamen TCM Hospital Affiliated to Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Xiamen Hospital, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Xiamen, ChinaObjectiveMicroplastics (MPs, 0.1–5000 μm) and nanoplastics (NPs, 0.001–0.1 μm) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants with strong persistence and bioaccumulation, posing significant threats to human health. Given their ability to penetrate biological barriers, accumulate in the food chain, and infiltrate human gastrointestinal tissues, humans ingest and inhale over 70,000 microplastic particles annually, and the observed higher abundance of MPs/NPs in colorectal tumor tissues in epidemiological data, this systematic review aims to explore the link between MPs/NPs exposure and colorectal cancer (CRC) carcinogenesis.MethodsThis study synthesizes 20 years of relevant research to systematically analyze the association between MPs/NPs exposure and CRC development.ResultsKey findings reveal that MPs/NPs enter the body via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact, translocating across biological barriers to induce DNA damage and oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species overproduction. They disrupt intestinal barrier function by reducing tight junction proteins, trigger chronic inflammation via pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cause gut microbiota dysbiosis. Additionally, MPs/NPs act as “Trojan horses”, adsorbing toxicants (e.g., bisphenol A) and pathogens, which exacerbate cytotoxicity and activate carcinogenic pathways.ConclusionThis review highlights the potential carcinogenic risk of MPs/NPs in CRC, deepens understanding of their mechanistic roles in carcinogenesis, and provides insights for the scientific management of MPs/NPs pollution.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1653245/fullcarcinogenic mechanismsgut barrier disruptionDNA damageoxidative stressenvironmental toxicologyhuman exposure |
| spellingShingle | Junkai Wen Yuhua Lin Yuhua Lin Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review Frontiers in Public Health carcinogenic mechanisms gut barrier disruption DNA damage oxidative stress environmental toxicology human exposure |
| title | Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review |
| title_full | Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review |
| title_fullStr | Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review |
| title_short | Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review |
| title_sort | invisible invaders unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer a systematic review |
| topic | carcinogenic mechanisms gut barrier disruption DNA damage oxidative stress environmental toxicology human exposure |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1653245/full |
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