Invisible invaders: unveiling the carcinogenic threat of microplastics and nanoplastics in colorectal cancer-a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Microplastics (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.

Methods

This study synthesizes 20 years of relevant research to systematically analyze the association between MPs/NPs exposure and CRC development.

Results<

SUBMITTER: Wen J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12402728 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature