Grant title: Dissecting the impact of exposure to environmental pollutants on chronic inflammation and colorectal cancer onset
Institution: The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology
Grant awarded: September 2025
We sincerely thank Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds and World Cancer Research Fund International for supporting our project. This funding is fundamental to advance our understanding of how environmental pollutants influence health, particularly in light of growing concern about their role in the onset of cancer and other diseases. We hope that the results of this study may improve knowledge in exposome and carcinogenesis, possibly contributing to future preventive strategies, especially for younger generations – Dr Vito Amodio
Background
Every day, people come into contact with many substances in the environment, such as air pollution, and tiny plastic particles called microplastics and nanoplastics. Scientists are starting to think that these pollutants may play a role in certain diseases. Research has found microplastics/nanoplastics inside the human body, and evidence suggests that these particles may cause inflammation and weaken the immune system.
Similarly, tiny air pollution particles, like PM2.5, have been linked to lung cancer because they trigger inflammation. Since people can swallow microplastics/nanoplastics, and even PM2.5 through food and air, scientists are exploring whether these pollutants may also contribute to colorectal cancer. However, there is no clear proof yet that they directly lead to the disease.
Hypothesis and objectives
We think that exposure to environmental pollutants may contribute to the onset or speed of colorectal cancer progression by causing long-term inflammation and affecting how the immune system works. The goal of this study is to find out whether and how microplastics/nanoplastics and PM2.5, may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. We also want to understand how these pollutants interact with the immune system and whether they make the body more vulnerable to cancer.
How it will be done
To study this, we will use laboratory mice that naturally develop tumours in the intestines, mimicking how colorectal cancer starts in humans. We will expose these mice to microplastics/nanoplastics by feeding them small plastic particles. To study air pollution, we will expose them to tiny particles in the air. We will check if these exposures lead to more or faster tumour growth. We will also study blood and intestinal tissue to see how the immune system reacts and whether inflammation increases in response to these pollutants.
Created by Dr Vito Amodio, The AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology
Potential impact
This research will help us understand whether certain pollutants in our environment contribute to colorectal cancer. If we find a link, it could lead to new ways to prevent or detect this disease earlier. By identifying the harmful potential of these pollutants, this study could help create public health policies to counteract these exposures and lower cancer risk for people.