Young Scientist Finds Tumor-Like Structures in Humans are Caused by Microplastics

Microplastics in our bodies is an escalating concern. Despite growing awareness, their impact on the human body remains uncertain. This global crisis motivated eighth-grader Anushka Sable to investigate how microplastics might affect human blood immune cells and overall health, leading to groundbreaking research.

In 2022, researchers in the Netherlands found microplastics in the blood of 77% of individuals tested, highlighting the alarming scale of plastic pollution. For Sable, this raised questions about the implications for the immune system. She hypothesized that exposing white blood cells to plastic particles could trigger increased activation, aggregation, and inflammation, potentially resulting in tumor-like formations.

After gaining approval from her local science fair and Emory University’s institutional review board, Sable conducted her research in a professional lab under the guidance of a mentor. She discovered that monocytes, a type of white blood cell, could absorb microplastic particles. Using this knowledge, she developed a 3D cell culture called a “plasticome” to further study the potential for microplastics to contribute to cancer development. Her findings supported her hypothesis, showing tumor-like structures in the presence of microplastics.

This project earned Sable recognition as one of 30 finalists in the Thermo Fisher Scientific Junior Innovators Challenge. While her results confirm the harmful effects of microplastics, her work also offers a path forward. Sable’s 3D bio-platform could aid in studying treatments for microplastic-induced cell disorders and even help reduce reliance on animal testing.

Sable envisions expanding her platform by integrating additional cell types, such as endothelial and epithelial cells, alongside the extracellular matrix. She believes these advancements could reveal larger tumor-like structures and Support therapeutic screening. “The 3D bio-platform I developed…could be used to screen monoclonal antibodies, enzymes, chemical compounds, and biologics to prevent and treat microplastic-induced cell adhesion and neoplasms,” Sable explained.

Her innovative work not only sheds light on the dangers of microplastic Pollution but also lays a foundation for future research and solutions to this pressing issue.

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