Do microplastics cause cancer?

Do Microplastics Cause Cancer?

⚕️ MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: This article discusses emerging scientific research about microplastics and cancer. The research is preliminary and ongoing. Nothing in this article should be interpreted as a claim that our products prevent, treat, cure, or diagnose cancer, medical advice for cancer prevention, screening, or treatment, a substitute for consultation with an oncologist or healthcare provider, or a recommendation to avoid or replace conventional cancer screening or treatment. 

If you have concerns about cancer risk, please consult with a qualified oncologist or healthcare professional. Follow established cancer screening guidelines from organizations like the American Cancer Society and your healthcare provider’s recommendations. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, including cancer.

One of the ways that cancers occur is when existing cellular defenses, or cleanup mechanisms, break down and stop working properly. As a result, DNA mutations accumulate, signaling pathways become distorted, and chronic inflammation tips tissues into malignant transformation. Although no direct link exists, microplastics are implicated as contributors to this cascade [1–8]. Some scientists speculate that microplastics cause cancer. But, there’s not strong evidence, yet. The emerging research suggests that microplastics cause cancer through various biological pathways.

Microplastics don’t act through a single route; instead, they generate oxidative stress, disrupt mitochondria, alter immune surveillance, and even carry carcinogens deep into human tissues. The evidence, though still developing, is painting an alarming picture of plastic as a silent co-factor in carcinogenesis. However, it’s important to note that no studies have directly tied microplastics to cancer, at least, not yet. It remains crucial to investigate if microplastics cause cancer in various biological systems.

It’s Possible That Microplastics Cause Cancer Via Genomic Instability

The theory that microplastics cause cancer is supported by observations of cellular stress and inflammatory responses.

At the cellular level, microplastics are potent generators of oxidative stress. By producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), they damage DNA, proteins, and lipids, driving mutations and genomic instability [3, 10–16]. Studies show skin, liver, and lung cells exposed to polystyrene microplastics display elevated ROS and inflammatory signaling [7, 8, 10, 17–19]. These shifts destabilize the cell cycle, impair repair systems, and lay the groundwork for tumor initiation [3, 18, 20].

Mitochondria, the energy engines of the cell, are also prime targets of microplastics. Microplastics disrupt mitochondrial membrane potential, causing leakage of mitochondrial DNA and activation of inflammasomes like NLRP3 [7, 10, 24]. This not only weakens energy metabolism, but also encourages chronic inflammation, a known driver of tumor progression [7, 8]. Simultaneously, microplastics can trigger apoptosis or pyroptosis. While cell death is normally protective, dysregulated apoptosis eliminates healthy cells while pyroptosis amplifies inflammatory cytokine release, both of which create tumor-friendly conditions [21, 25].

Microplastics, Tumor Microenvironments, and Immune Suppression

This immunosuppressive environment raises concerns about microplastics and their potential role as a co-factor in cancer development.

Because the body recognizes microplastics as foreign, they create hotspots of inflammation. Persistent immune activation around microplastic deposits creates opportunities for tumor growth [4, 6, 21, 23]. Colorectal and skin cancers, in particular, have been linked to this inflammatory amplification [6, 21]. While microplastics can induce inflammation, microplastics can also suppress immune surveillance by downregulating tumor-targeting proteins such as S100A8 [21, 23]. The result is an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment that allows cancerous cells to evade destruction and expand unchecked [8, 28].

Microplastics can also cause cells to change shape and structure. The common aggregation and spheroid formation, observed in cancer cell cultures, are indicators of malignant transformation [6, 27]. Long-term exposure pushes even glioblastoma cells, already noted for their highly aggressive nature, toward greater proliferation and migration [6].

Microplastics as Carriers of Carcinogens

Microplastics can potentially act as vectors for environmental carcinogens. They have been shown to absorb polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, heavy metals, and other toxicants from surrounding environments [6, 8, 9, 29–33]. Once ingested or inhaled, these loaded plastics release concentrated doses into tissues, magnifying local exposure. For example, microplastics carrying phenanthrene derivatives exhibit high bioaccessibility and increased cancer potential [6, 9, 33].

Specific Links Between Microplastics And Cancer 

Moreover, the growing body of evidence suggests that microplastics cause cancer through various exposure routes and mechanisms.

Colorectal cancer shows some of the strongest associations to microplastics. Higher levels of microplastics have been found in colon tumor tissues compared to healthy controls [7, 8, 34]. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that microplastics are the cause. However, microplastics have been shown to disrupt gut microbiota, fuel biofilm formation, and drive early-onset colorectal cancer trends [4, 8, 17]. Nanoplastics have been shown to further alter anticancer immunity in the colon, adding another layer of risk [8, 23].

Lung cancer is another cancer that has been slightly associated with microplastics. Microplastics have been detected in lung tissues [23, 28, 36], likely introduced through inhalation from polluted air, smoking, or even masks [1, 2, 36]. Inhaled plastics interfere with lung surfactant, induce oxidative damage, and drive chronic respiratory inflammation. These factors are all precursors to tumorigenesis [8, 14, 37, 38]. However, again, it’s important to note that there’s no direct link to lung cancer.

Lastly, skin cancers exploit mitochondrial vulnerabilities. In malignant skin cells, microplastics trigger mitochondrial ROS production, activate inflammasomes, and accelerate cell proliferation, while simultaneously damaging surrounding normal skin cells [6–8, 21, 23]. Gastric cancer studies reveal that plastics upregulate ASGR2, a receptor linked to cell growth and therapy resistance [6, 8, 21–23]. Liver cancer models show microplastics activating p53 and p21 signaling pathways, fueling hepatocellular carcinoma [19]. Even testicular and cervical cancers show detectable microplastic accumulation, with evidence of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and premature aging of reproductive tissues [25, 26, 31]. 

Research indicates that microplastics cause cancer by affecting the cellular environment and promoting oxidative stress.

Overall, while it’s too early to definitely say that microplastics cause cancer, there are certainly foundational data to suggest so. Significantly more research is needed to better understand the complex situation. 

Although more studies are required, the link between microplastics and cancer is becoming increasingly significant.

What Animal Studies Say About Microplastics And Cancer

Animal experiments show that microplastics exacerbate liver damage, induce tumors, and promote metastasis [19]. Human cell studies reveal disrupted cycles, DNA mutations, and proliferative signaling consistent with carcinogenesis [2, 6, 8, 18]. Importantly, microplastics have now been detected in cancerous human tissues themselves: colorectal, lung, gastric, cervical, and others [6–8, 43].

These findings align with concerns that microplastics cause cancer and other health complications.

How To Avoid Microplastics

Microplastics generate oxidative stress, impair mitochondria, hijack immune responses, and carry potential carcinogens into tissues. They promote tumor growth in animal models, proliferative changes in human cells, and accumulate in human cancers. While more epidemiological research is needed to solidify causation, the mechanistic overlap is overwhelming. Microplastics are linked to cancer, but the exact nature of that link is still unclear. Therefore, for health-oriented individuals, it’s critical to implement a lifestyle strategy aimed at reducing exposure to microplastics. 

Therefore, understanding how microplastics cause cancer is essential for public health and safety.

While it’s extremely difficult, if not impossible, to avoid microplastics, there are many small, simple actions that you can take each day to lower the amount of microplastics you consume. This is why we developed the Deplasto platform. 

Our platform, consisting of a wellness supplement, a microplastic intake app, and lifestyle recommendations is intended to help you avoid microplastics. Our supplement is formulated to support your body’s natural detoxification defenses, including oxidative stress management, cellular repair, and antioxidant support. Our microplastic intake calculator is designed to show you an estimate of your daily exposure, with every datapoint backed by scientific studies, to help you understand how you can best avoid microplastics. Lastly, given that it’s nearly impossible to completely avoid microplastic exposure, we have a plethora of lifestyle recommendations designed to help you make small changes for big impacts. 

We encourage further research to clarify how microplastics cause cancer in various populations.

Overall, we believe that the best way to eliminate microplastics begins with you and the changes you make to your daily life. Over time, collectively, we can make a significant difference in your health and the environment.

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