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International Journal of Molecular Medicine
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Print ISSN: 1107-3756 Online ISSN: 1791-244X
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December-2026 Volume 58 Issue 6

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International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine

International Journal of Molecular Medicine is an international journal devoted to molecular mechanisms of human disease.

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology

International Journal of Oncology is an international journal devoted to oncology research and cancer treatment.

Molecular Medicine Reports

Molecular Medicine Reports

Covers molecular medicine topics such as pharmacology, pathology, genetics, neuroscience, infectious diseases, molecular cardiology, and molecular surgery.

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports

Oncology Reports is an international journal devoted to fundamental and applied research in Oncology.

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine

Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine is an international journal devoted to laboratory and clinical medicine.

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters

Oncology Letters is an international journal devoted to Experimental and Clinical Oncology.

Biomedical Reports

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Explores a wide range of biological and medical fields, including pharmacology, genetics, microbiology, neuroscience, and molecular cardiology.

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

Molecular and Clinical Oncology

International journal addressing all aspects of oncology research, from tumorigenesis and oncogenes to chemotherapy and metastasis.

World Academy of Sciences Journal

World Academy of Sciences Journal

Multidisciplinary open-access journal spanning biochemistry, genetics, neuroscience, environmental health, and synthetic biology.

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

International Journal of Functional Nutrition

Open-access journal combining biochemistry, pharmacology, immunology, and genetics to advance health through functional nutrition.

International Journal of Epigenetics

International Journal of Epigenetics

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Review Open Access

Tracing the malignant trajectory of microplastics and nanoplastics: Biological pathways potentially implicated in carcinogenesis (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Mary A. Vasilopoulou
    • Maria Adamaki
    • Panagiotis Zoumpourlis
    • Demetrios A. Spandidos
    • Dimosthenis Sarigiannis
    • Vassilis Zoumpourlis

  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Institute of Chemical Biology, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece, Laboratory of Clinical Virology, School of Medicine, University of Crete, 71003 Heraklion, Greece, Center of Excellence for Cancer Theranostics, National Hellenic Research Foundation, 11635 Athens, Greece
    Copyright: © Vasilopoulou et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 376
    |
    Published online on: November 10, 2026
       https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.6047
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Abstract

Microplastics and nanoplastics have emerged as significant environmental challenges, exerting a considerable impact on ecosystems. Simultaneously, a growing body of evidence indicates their accumulation within human tissues and organs, including tumor samples from patients with cancer, thereby raising concerns about their potential implications for human health. In recent years, extensive research has demonstrated that exposure to plastic particles induces toxicity, with the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) being one of the most prominent effects. ROS subsequently trigger oxidative stress, DNA damage, genotoxicity and chronic inflammation, while dysbiosis and endocrine disruption have also been associated with plastic exposure, among other effects. Apart from observations from in vitro and in vivo experiments suggesting that exposure to plastics can modulate critical signaling pathways, a number of which are linked to carcinogenesis, a critical question arises regarding the potential role of exposure to plastics in the development of cancer. To address this issue, the present review aimed to integrate mechanistic evidence concerning the potential implications of plastics in carcinogenesis. Particular attention was paid to biological pathways that may contribute to tumor initiation and progression, rather than seeking to establish a definitive causal association.

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Vasilopoulou MA, Adamaki M, Zoumpourlis P, Spandidos DA, Sarigiannis D and Zoumpourlis V: Tracing the malignant trajectory of microplastics and nanoplastics: Biological pathways potentially implicated in carcinogenesis (Review). Int J Mol Med 58: 376, 2026.
APA
Vasilopoulou, M.A., Adamaki, M., Zoumpourlis, P., Spandidos, D.A., Sarigiannis, D., & Zoumpourlis, V. (2026). Tracing the malignant trajectory of microplastics and nanoplastics: Biological pathways potentially implicated in carcinogenesis (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 58, 376. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.6047
MLA
Vasilopoulou, M. A., Adamaki, M., Zoumpourlis, P., Spandidos, D. A., Sarigiannis, D., Zoumpourlis, V."Tracing the malignant trajectory of microplastics and nanoplastics: Biological pathways potentially implicated in carcinogenesis (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 58.6 (2026): 376.
Chicago
Vasilopoulou, M. A., Adamaki, M., Zoumpourlis, P., Spandidos, D. A., Sarigiannis, D., Zoumpourlis, V."Tracing the malignant trajectory of microplastics and nanoplastics: Biological pathways potentially implicated in carcinogenesis (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 58, no. 6 (2026): 376. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.6047
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Vasilopoulou MA, Adamaki M, Zoumpourlis P, Spandidos DA, Sarigiannis D and Zoumpourlis V: Tracing the malignant trajectory of microplastics and nanoplastics: Biological pathways potentially implicated in carcinogenesis (Review). Int J Mol Med 58: 376, 2026.
APA
Vasilopoulou, M.A., Adamaki, M., Zoumpourlis, P., Spandidos, D.A., Sarigiannis, D., & Zoumpourlis, V. (2026). Tracing the malignant trajectory of microplastics and nanoplastics: Biological pathways potentially implicated in carcinogenesis (Review). International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 58, 376. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.6047
MLA
Vasilopoulou, M. A., Adamaki, M., Zoumpourlis, P., Spandidos, D. A., Sarigiannis, D., Zoumpourlis, V."Tracing the malignant trajectory of microplastics and nanoplastics: Biological pathways potentially implicated in carcinogenesis (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 58.6 (2026): 376.
Chicago
Vasilopoulou, M. A., Adamaki, M., Zoumpourlis, P., Spandidos, D. A., Sarigiannis, D., Zoumpourlis, V."Tracing the malignant trajectory of microplastics and nanoplastics: Biological pathways potentially implicated in carcinogenesis (Review)". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 58, no. 6 (2026): 376. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2026.6047
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