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Review Open Access

Role of microplastics in the tumor microenvironment (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Yunjie Chen
    • Zihang Zhang
    • Kangming Ji
    • Qiuchen Zhang
    • Lijun Qian
    • Chuang Yang
  • View Affiliations / Copyright

    Affiliations: Breast Disease Center, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China, Department of Radiology, The Fourth School of Clinical Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211166, P.R. China, Department of Geriatric Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210029, P.R. China
    Copyright: © Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.
  • Article Number: 193
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    Published online on: February 21, 2025
       https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14939
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Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive in several ecosystems and have the potential to infiltrate multiple aspects of human life through ingestion, inhalation and dermal exposure, thus eliciting substantial concerns regarding their potential implications for human health. Whilst initial research has documented the effects of MPs on disease development across multiple physiological systems, MPs may also facilitate tumor progression by influencing the tumor microenvironment (TME). This evolving focus underscores the growing interest in the role of MPs in tumorigenesis and their interactions within the TME. In the present review, the relationship between MPs and the TME is comprehensively assessed, providing a detailed analysis of their interactions with tumor cells, stromal cells (including macrophages, fibroblasts and endothelial cells), the extracellular matrix and inflammatory processes. Recommendations for future research directions and strategies to address and reduce microplastic pollution are proposed.
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Copy and paste a formatted citation
Spandidos Publications style
Chen Y, Zhang Z, Ji K, Zhang Q, Qian L and Yang C: Role of microplastics in the tumor microenvironment (Review). Oncol Lett 29: 193, 2025.
APA
Chen, Y., Zhang, Z., Ji, K., Zhang, Q., Qian, L., & Yang, C. (2025). Role of microplastics in the tumor microenvironment (Review). Oncology Letters, 29, 193. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14939
MLA
Chen, Y., Zhang, Z., Ji, K., Zhang, Q., Qian, L., Yang, C."Role of microplastics in the tumor microenvironment (Review)". Oncology Letters 29.4 (2025): 193.
Chicago
Chen, Y., Zhang, Z., Ji, K., Zhang, Q., Qian, L., Yang, C."Role of microplastics in the tumor microenvironment (Review)". Oncology Letters 29, no. 4 (2025): 193. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14939
Copy and paste a formatted citation
x
Spandidos Publications style
Chen Y, Zhang Z, Ji K, Zhang Q, Qian L and Yang C: Role of microplastics in the tumor microenvironment (Review). Oncol Lett 29: 193, 2025.
APA
Chen, Y., Zhang, Z., Ji, K., Zhang, Q., Qian, L., & Yang, C. (2025). Role of microplastics in the tumor microenvironment (Review). Oncology Letters, 29, 193. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14939
MLA
Chen, Y., Zhang, Z., Ji, K., Zhang, Q., Qian, L., Yang, C."Role of microplastics in the tumor microenvironment (Review)". Oncology Letters 29.4 (2025): 193.
Chicago
Chen, Y., Zhang, Z., Ji, K., Zhang, Q., Qian, L., Yang, C."Role of microplastics in the tumor microenvironment (Review)". Oncology Letters 29, no. 4 (2025): 193. https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2025.14939
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