“The key question is whether microplastics drive cancer, or simply accumulate in it”
Microplastics have been detected across the human body – but what they mean for cancer risk remains unclear. At the recent 2026 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium (ASCO GU26), Dr Stacy Loeb (NYU Langone Health, New York, NY, USA), presented Abstract 379: Microplastics and prostate cancer, sharing early data suggesting these particles are not only present in the prostate, but may be more concentrated in tumour tissue. The findings raise provocative questions about environmental exposures and carcinogenesis, while underscoring just how much remains unknown. In this Q&A, Dr Loeb explores the emerging science linking microplastics, inflammation and cancer.
Interest in microplastics has accelerated following emerging evidence linking them to inflammation – a key pathway in many diseases, including cancer. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine identified microplastics in carotid plaques, with higher levels associated with increased inflammation and worse clinical outcomes. Given the well-established link between chronic inflammation and cancer, this raised an important question: could microplastics also play a role in carcinogenesis?
Plastic production and environmental exposure continue to rise globally, alongside increasing prostate cancer incidence. Microplastics have already been detected in prostate tissue, making it critical to understand whether their presence is incidental – or potentially linked to cancer risk. This intersection of rising exposure and disease burden makes it a timely and important area of investigation.
We enrolled patients undergoing radical prostatectomy at NYU Langone Health. For each patient, we collected paired samples of tumour tissue and adjacent non-tumour prostate tissue, using stringent protocols to minimize contamination from external plastics. In the laboratory, we applied two independent analytical methods to detect and characterize microplastics within the samples.
These are very early data, and it is far too soon to draw causal conclusions. One possibility is that microplastics contribute to cancer development, perhaps through inflammatory mechanisms. However, an alternative explanation is that tumour-related changes in tissue architecture allow greater accumulation of microplastics. At this stage, we can only say there is an association – not the direction or significance of that relationship.
The most striking finding is that microplastics were present in 9 out of 10 patients, with higher levels observed in tumour compared with benign tissue. Our next steps, supported by a Department of Defense grant, are to expand the sample size and investigate whether higher microplastic levels correlate with increased inflammation – one potential biological mechanism.
Absolutely. These results highlight the importance of exploring microplastics across multiple cancer types. However, this research must be approached with great care, as the risk of contamination during sample collection and processing is substantial and could influence results.
Cite: Small particles, big impact? New study reveals microplastics in most prostate tumours. touchONCOLOGY. March 24th, 2026
Disclosure: Stacy Loeb reports consulting for Astellas and Savor Health. She has received grant/research support from Endo USA, Inc and participated in one Advisory Board for Blue Earth, Doceree, Pfizer, Sumitomo and Endo USA Inc. This short article was prepared by touchONCOLOGY in collaboration with Dr Stacy Loeb. Views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Touch Medical Media.
Editor: Sophie Nickelson (Editorial Director)
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