Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
203,203 studies31 sourcesUpdated 37 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Toxicology Reports

Micro- and nanoplastics in gastric cancer: A narrative review

  • John Singh Russel1
  • Sulekha Khute2
  • Jinwon Choi3
  • Sohyun Park3
  • Muntajin Rahman3
  • Amama Rani3
  • Bonglee Kim3,4
  • Paranthaman Subash1
4 affiliations
  1. 1School of Pharmacy, Joy University, Vadakkankulam, Tirunelveli Dist, Tamil Nadu, 627 116, India
  2. 2Department of Pharmacy, Sri Shanmugha College of Pharmacy, Sankari, Salem, Tamil Nadu, 637 304, India
  3. 3Department of Pathology, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
  4. 4Korean Medicine-Based Drug Repositioning Cancer Research Center, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm and 1 μm, respectively, are ubiquitous environmental contaminants detected in human tissues and typically ingested through food and drinking water. No threshold for adverse health effects has been established. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the molecular mechanisms, interactions with Helicobacter pylori, and experimental findings from 2D and 3D gastric cancer models relevant to MNP-induced gastric carcinogenesis. Particle size, shape, polymer type, surface charge, and weathering status influence toxicity. Proposed mechanisms include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, genotoxicity, gastric dysbiosis, and ferroptosis, mediated by dysregulation of NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and cGAS-STING signaling. Nanoplastics (~100 nm) may induce ferroptosis via Fosl1 and p53, whereas larger microplastic fragments may activate YAP signaling and promote proliferation. MNPs may also carry persistent organic pollutants and toxic metals and may act synergistically with H. pylori to potentiate mucosal damage. In conclusion, MNPs can plausibly promote gastric carcinogenesis through mechanisms demonstrated in experimental systems, but a causal role in human gastric cancer has not been established. Standardized analytical methods, environmentally realistic exposure models, and large-scale epidemiological studies are needed.

Related

  1. Beyond Classic Carcinogens: Micro- and Nanoplastics (MNPs) as Pervasive Factors in Cancer Risk
    Mansaa Singh, Sneha Gupta, Jayanta Kumar Pal +1
    International Journal of Environmental MedicinePeer-reviewedCC BY5 citedEnvironmental science & pollutionOpenAlex
  2. Micro- and nanoplastics in human biological materials: a systematic review of detection methods and methodological challenges
    Aleksandra Dmitrowicz, Mariusz Sacharczuk, Dominik S. Skiba
    Archives of ToxicologyPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull text11 citedEnvironmental science & pollutionOpenAlex
  3. Mapping the biological effects of micro- and nanoplastics in mammalian intestinal models: a scoping review
    Deniz Özkan Vardar, Necati Vardar
    BMC GastroenterologyPeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textEnvironmental science & pollutionPMC
  4. Editorial: Micro-and nanoplastics in agroecosystems: plant responses, soil interactions, and remediation strategies
    Yuan Li, Yangzhou Xiang, Carmen Martín +2
    Frontiers in Plant SciencePeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textEnvironmental science & pollutionCrossref
  5. Polytetrafluoroethylene utensils as a source of micro- and nanoplastics: Insights from a Drosophila model
    Mohamed Alaraby, Doaa Abass, Elham Farghal Elkady +4
    Eco-Environment & HealthPeer-reviewedCC BYFull textEnvironmental science & pollutionEurope PMC

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{russel2026micro,
  title = {{Micro- and nanoplastics in gastric cancer: A narrative review}},
  author = {John Singh Russel and Sulekha Khute and Jinwon Choi and Sohyun Park and Muntajin Rahman and Amama Rani and Bonglee Kim and Paranthaman Subash},
  journal = {Toxicology Reports},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102358},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102358},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Micro- and nanoplastics in gastric cancer: A narrative review
AU  - John Singh Russel
AU  - Sulekha Khute
AU  - Jinwon Choi
AU  - Sohyun Park
AU  - Muntajin Rahman
AU  - Amama Rani
AU  - Bonglee Kim
AU  - Paranthaman Subash
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/16
JO  - Toxicology Reports
DO  - 10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102358
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxrep.2026.102358
AB  - Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm and 1 μm, respectively, are ubiquitous environmental contaminants detected in human tissues and typically ingested through food and drinking water. No threshold for adverse health effects has been established. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on the molecular mechanisms, interactions with Helicobacter pylori, and experimental findings from 2D and 3D gastric cancer models relevant to MNP-induced gastric carcinogenesis. Particle size, shape, polymer type, surface charge, and weathering status influence toxicity. Proposed mechanisms include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, genotoxicity, gastric dysbiosis, and ferroptosis, mediated by dysregulation of NF-κB, Wnt/β-catenin, MAPK, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, and cGAS-STING signaling. Nanoplastics (~100 nm) may induce ferroptosis via Fosl1 and p53, whereas larger microplastic fragments may activate YAP signaling and promote proliferation. MNPs may also carry persistent organic pollutants and toxic metals and may act synergistically with H. pylori to potentiate mucosal damage. In conclusion, MNPs can plausibly promote gastric carcinogenesis through mechanisms demonstrated in experimental systems, but a causal role in human gastric cancer has not been established. Standardized analytical methods, environmentally realistic exposure models, and large-scale epidemiological studies are needed.
SN  - 2214-7500
ER  -