Researchers at NYU Langone Health report this week that microplastics in Prostate Cancer tumors contain more than twice the microplastic concentration of healthy tissue, based on an analysis of samples from 10 patients in New York.
Researchers Detect Elevated Plastic Levels In Tumor Tissue
Scientists at NYU Langone Health found that cancerous prostate tissue contains significantly higher levels of microplastics than noncancerous tissue, raising new questions about the role of plastic exposure in cancer development.
The study examined cancerous and benign prostate tissue from 10 patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, the most common cancer among American men. In nine of the 10 cases, researchers detected small fragments of plastic in both healthy and cancerous samples.
However, tumors showed markedly higher concentrations. According to the report, cancerous tissue contained an average of about 40 micrograms of plastic per gram of tissue, compared with approximately 16 micrograms per gram in healthy samples.
Researchers used specialized equipment made from nonplastic materials to avoid contamination while screening for molecules associated with 12 widely used plastics.
“This is the first Western assessment of its kind to examine Microplastics in Prostate Cancer and to compare them with plastic buildup in noncancerous prostate tissue,” said Dr. Stacy Loeb, a professor in the Departments of Urology and Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and a lead author of the study.
Findings Add To Growing Concerns About Microplastic Exposure
A growing body of research shows that microplastics are pervasive in the environment. Plastic used in packaging, food containers, and personal care products breaks down into particles small enough to be ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin.
Studies have documented microplastics in multiple human organs and bodily fluids, including placentas. Scientists say exposure is nearly unavoidable.
“By uncovering yet another potential health concern posed by plastic, our findings highlight the need for stricter regulatory measures to limit the public’s exposure to these substances, which are everywhere in the environment,” said Dr. Vittorio Albergamo, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the study’s senior author.
Albergamo and his colleagues called for tighter oversight of plastic manufacturing, citing potential human and environmental health impacts.
Despite mounting evidence of widespread exposure, researchers say much remains unknown about how microplastics interact with human tissue and whether they directly contribute to diseases such as cancer, heart disease, or dementia.
Study Marks First U.S. Link To Prostate Cancer
Loeb said the research is the first study in the United States to specifically link Microplastics in Prostate Cancer. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in eight men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during their lifetime.
The researchers caution that the study’s small sample size limits broad conclusions. They plan to expand their work to include more patients and investigate possible biological mechanisms.
One hypothesis is that microplastics may trigger chronic inflammation in prostate tissue. Over time, that immune response could damage cells and lead to genetic changes that allow cancer to develop, Albergamo said.
“While our findings are an important first step, larger studies are needed to better understand the relationship between microplastic exposure and prostate cancer risk,” he said.
Prostate cancer rates continue to rise, prompting ongoing efforts to improve prevention and treatment. Researchers recently reported progress in repurposing a drug originally developed for Type 2 diabetes as a potential therapy for prostate cancer.
The NYU team said its findings underscore the need for further investigation into environmental factors that may influence cancer risk.
