Medical researchers from NYU Langone Health have detected microplastics in nearly all prostate cancer tumours examined in a new study. Tumour tissue contained about 2.5 times more plastic than nearby healthy prostate tissue. Scientists say this is the first Western study to directly measure plastic particles in prostate tumours.
Although more research is needed, the findings suggest microplastic exposure could play a role in cancer development.
The scientists set out to explore whether exposure to microplastics could contribute to the development of prostate cancer, which the American Cancer Society identifies as the most common cancer among men in the U.S.
The scientists further discovered that these microplastics were present at higher concentrations in cancerous tumours than in nearby noncancerous prostate tissue.
How Microplastics Enter the Human Body
Plastic materials used in food packaging, cosmetics, and many everyday products can break down into microscopic fragments when heated, worn down, or chemically processed. These particles can enter the body through food, breathing contaminated air, or contact with the skin.
Previous research has detected microplastics in nearly every organ, as well as in bodily fluids and even the placenta. Despite their widespread presence, scientists still do not fully understand how these particles may affect human health and the human microbiome.
Research Basis
To conduct the analysis, scientists first reviewed tumour and benign tissue samples under visual inspection. They then used specialised instruments to measure the quantity, chemical composition, and structure of microplastic particles. The team focused on 12 of the most common plastic molecules.
Because plastic is widely used in medical and laboratory equipment, researchers took extra precautions to prevent contamination. They replaced plastic tools with alternatives made from aluminium, cotton, and other non-plastic materials. All testing was performed in controlled clean rooms designed specifically for microplastic analysis.
Higher Plastic Levels in Cancerous Tissue
The researchers examined prostate tissue collected from 10 patients undergoing surgery to remove the gland. Plastic particles were identified in 90% of tumour samples and in 70% of benign prostate tissue samples.
The difference in concentration was notable. On average, tumour samples contained about 2.5 times more plastic than healthy tissue (about 40 micrograms of plastic per gram of tissue compared with 16 micrograms per gram).
Hence, the study provides important evidence that microplastic exposure may be a risk factor for prostate cancer.
The researchers noted that earlier research had suggested possible links between microplastics and conditions such as heart disease and dementia, but there had been little direct evidence tying them specifically to prostate cancer.
The findings were presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Genitourinary Cancers Symposium. According to Loeb, this is the first Western study to measure microplastic levels in prostate tumours and compare them directly with levels in noncancerous prostate tissue.
