Polystyrene microplastics are taken up by colorectal cancer cells, increasing cell migration and potentially promoting metastasis. These particles persist in cells, accumulate in non-proliferating tumour areas, and transfer during cell division, highlighting their potential role in cancer progression and long-term health risks.
April 2024 – Chemosphere
Key takeaways
- Polystyrene microplastics increase cell migration and may promote metastasis in colorectal cancer cells: Polystyrene microplastics of 0.25 micrometres significantly amplify cell migration. This enhanced cell movement suggests that microplastics could facilitate the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body, increasing the risk of metastasis
- These particles persist in cells and are not eliminated, leading to long-term accumulation: Once inside the cells, microplastics do not get expelled. This means that over time, more and more particles can accumulate within the cells, potentially leading to chronic cellular stress and other long-term health issues
- Microplastics accumulate in non-proliferating tumour areas, potentially impacting tumour growth dynamics: Microplastics tend to gather in areas of tumours where cell proliferation is low. This uneven distribution within tumours could affect how tumours grow and respond to treatments, potentially complicating cancer management
- During cell division, microplastics are transferred between cells, suggesting continuous internal exposure: When cells divide, microplastics are shared between the mother and daughter cells. This means that even newly formed cells start their existence with a load of microplastics, indicating an ongoing internal exposure that could have cumulative effects over time
Read the article at: Brynzak-Schreiber, Ekaterina, et al. “Microplastics Role in Cell Migration and Distribution During Cancer Cell Division.” Chemosphere, vol. 353, 2024, p. 141463. Elsevier Ltd., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141463.