Microplastics Found in Prostate Tumors Raise Research Questions

In a recent small, single-center study presented at the 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology Genitourinary Cancers Symposium, investigators identified microplastic particles in the majority of prostate tumor samples analyzed, with higher concentrations observed in malignant tissue compared with adjacent benign tissue. These findings contribute to a growing body of evidence examining how environmental exposures may influence cancer risk, although the clinical implications remain under investigation.

Dr. Stacy Loeb, a urologic oncologist at NYU Langone Health, sat down for an interview with CURE to discuss the motivation behind this research, key findings from the analysis, and the potential biological mechanisms linking microplastics to prostate cancer.

Loeb serves as a professor in the Department of Urology and the Department of Population Health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

CURE: For readers who may not be familiar with this research, can you briefly explain the goal of this study and what prompted your team to investigate the role of microplastics in prostate cancer?

I was inspired to investigate this topic after reading a publication in The New England Journal of Medicine showing microplastics were found in many carotid artery plaques, and that the plaques with microplastics had more inflammation and were associated with more clinical events. There are still very few studies on the health impacts of microplastics, and I wanted to study whether microplastics are associated with cancer.

Your findings showed that microplastics were present in a high percentage of prostate tumor samples. What were the most notable or surprising results from this analysis?

We examined prostate tissue samples from 10 patients having surgery for prostate cancer. Notable findings are that we found microplastics in 9 of their prostates, and that the concentration of microplastics was higher in the tumor tissue than in non-tumor tissue.

The study found higher levels of microplastics in tumor tissue compared with nearby benign tissue. What might this difference suggest about a potential link between microplastic exposure and prostate cancer development?

This is very early data, so more research is needed to confirm whether microplastics are associated with prostate cancer. We have a grant from the Department of Defense to continue this research by studying a larger number of samples, including patients with different tumor grades.

How might microplastics enter the body and ultimately accumulate in prostate tissue?

These particles can enter the body in many ways, including inhalation, dermal absorption, and ingestion. A prior study estimated that Americans consume 74,000 to 121,000 particles per year.

Based on your research, what are some possible biological mechanisms through which microplastics could contribute to cancer development?

One possible mechanism that we are exploring through our grant from the Department of Defense is whether these particles are associated with inflammation.

This was a small, single-center study. What are the key limitations of the research, and what additional studies are needed to better understand this potential connection?

The main limitation is the small sample size. We are currently in the process of analyzing additional samples as part of the aforementioned grant. Another challenge with this type of research is the risk of plastic contamination during sample collection and processing. However, we have specific protocols in place to reduce this risk.

For patients or readers who may find this information concerning, what should they keep in mind when interpreting these findings?

This study represents preliminary data in a small number of cases, so more research is needed to confirm whether microplastics are associated with prostate cancer. That said, there is ample evidence that plastics have other harms for human health and the environment, so we should all strive to reduce unnecessary use.

Looking ahead, what are the next steps for your research team in studying microplastics and their potential effects on human health?

Through our grant from the Department of Defense, we will analyze additional samples and also examine the correlation between microplastic concentration and inflammation in the samples.

Transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

References

1. “Microplastics Discovered in Prostate Tumors,” by NYU Langone Health. News release; Feb. 23, 2026.

For more news on cancer updates, research and education, don’t forget to subscribe to CURE®’s newsletters here.