Microplastics in the Human Respiratory System

NCT06603675 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 2 other identifiers: MicroLung242023/07/X/NZ7/00906
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 100
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

Environmental pollution from plastics has become a significant global issue, with microplastics-tiny particles resulting from plastic degradation-being increasingly detected in various environments, including aquatic ecosystems, soil, and air. These particles can enter the human body through ingestion or inhalation. Despite growing concerns, little is known about the prevalence and types of microplastics in human lungs. Some studies suggest that microplastics may negatively impact respiratory function and lead to lung diseases. Hypothetically, they could cause inflammation, metabolic disorders, and contribute to lung cancer development. However, research is still in its early stages, and conclusive evidence about the mechanisms linking microplastics to negative health effects is lacking. This study aims to quantify and characterize microplastics in the lung parenchyma and lymph nodes of patients with lung cancer and other respiratory diseases. Tissue samples will be collected during surgeries, and microplastic particles will be detected using FTIR microspectroscopy. The research may contribute to a better understanding of the role of microplastics in the development of respiratory diseases.

Conditions

Microplastics; Lung Cancer (NSCLC); Lung Transplantation

Keywords

microplastics; lung; respiratory system; lung cancer; transplantation

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Number of lung microplastics.

  Number of microplastics particles detected per sample of lung tissue or regional lymph nodes obtained from patients during surgery.

  Time of surgery (Single time point; microplastic measurement is performed on a lung sample taken during surgery).

Secondary Outcomes (1)

• Types of lung microplastics.

  Time of surgery (Single time point; microplastic measurement is performed on a lung sample taken during surgery).

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The study group comprises patients from the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Wielkopolskie Centrum Pulmonologii i Torakochirurgii. Participants include individuals undergoing surgery for lung cancer, other respiratory diseases such as emphysema and interstitial lung diseases, and lung transplantation (lungs removed from transplant recipients). The group includes individuals with diverse backgrounds, varying occupational exposure histories, smoking status (active and passive), e-cigarette use, and different comorbid conditions.

You may qualify if:

• patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer, emphysema, interstitial lung diseases, or other respiratory conditions,
• patients undergoing lung transplantation (lungs removed from transplant recipients),
• age 18 years or older,
• ability to provide informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

• patients with a history of recent or ongoing chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or radiation therapy,
• inability or unwillingness to provide informed consent,
• previous lung surgeries,
• insufficient tissue or blood samples available for analysis due to technical or procedural reasons.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Wielkopolskie Centrum Pulmonologii i Torakochirurgii: lead

Study Sites (1)

Wielkopolskie Centrum Pulmonologii i Torakochirurgii w Poznaniu

Poznan, Wielkopolska, 60-569, Poland

Location

Related Publications (4)

• Zhao J, Zhang H, Shi L, Jia Y, Sheng H. Detection and quantification of microplastics in various types of human tumor tissues. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf. 2024 Sep 15;283:116818. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116818. Epub 2024 Jul 30.

  PMID: 39083862 BACKGROUND

• Field DT, Green JL, Bennett R, Jenner LC, Sadofsky LR, Chapman E, Loubani M, Rotchell JM. Microplastics in the surgical environment. Environ Int. 2022 Dec;170:107630. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107630. Epub 2022 Nov 13.

  PMID: 36403328 BACKGROUND

• Danopoulos E, Jenner LC, Twiddy M, Rotchell JM. Microplastic Contamination of Seafood Intended for Human Consumption: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Environ Health Perspect. 2020 Dec;128(12):126002. doi: 10.1289/EHP7171. Epub 2020 Dec 23.

  PMID: 33355482 BACKGROUND

• Jenner LC, Rotchell JM, Bennett RT, Cowen M, Tentzeris V, Sadofsky LR. Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using muFTIR spectroscopy. Sci Total Environ. 2022 Jul 20;831:154907. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154907. Epub 2022 Mar 29.

  PMID: 35364151 BACKGROUND

Biospecimen

Retention: SAMPLES WITH DNA

Lung parenchyma, lymph nodes, and blood samples will be collected from patients undergoing surgery for lung diseases.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Lung Neoplasms; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Respiratory Tract Neoplasms; Thoracic Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic; Bronchial Neoplasms

Study Officials

• Cezary Piwkowski, MD, Prof.

  Poznan University of Medical Sciences

  STUDY CHAIR

Central Study Contacts

Piotr Gabryel, MD, PhD

CONTACT

+48603444042; piotrgabryel@gmail.com

Dominika Zielińska, MD

CONTACT

+48509091690; piotrgabryel@gmail.com

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: CASE ONLY
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: MD, PhD

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 17, 2024
• First Posted: September 19, 2024
• Study Start: September 30, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 31, 2026
• Last Updated: October 3, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-10

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Time Frame: Beginning 2 months and ending 5 years after the publication of results.
• Access Criteria: A proposal that describes planned analyses mjust be submitted to central contact person.

Locations

PL (1)