Impact of Chronic MICROplastic Exposure on RADiotherapy of Head and Neck Cancer Patients: Clinical and Translational Oncology Study:

Brief summary (registry, in English)

MICRORAD is a pioneering 48-month translational research project that investigates the potential health and environmental impacts of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) released from medical devices when exposed to ionizing radiation. In radiation oncology, thermoplastic masks (TPMs) are standard immobilization tools, particularly for head and neck (HN) cancer patients. Globally, approximately 2.65 million TPMs are used annually in the radiotherapy of HN cancer patients and with an additional 8 to 10 million for other tumor types. TPMs are repeatedly subjected to high-energy X-rays and frequent handling, raising concerns about polymer degradation and the release of MNPs, which may interfere with treatment efficacy or contribute to radiation toxicity. MICRORAD is the first translational study to explore this phenomenon by integrating clinical oncology, materials science, radiobiology, and data science. The project will analyze radiation-induced changes in TPMs, quantify MNP release, and assess their biological effects through in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. Using advanced detection techniques, the project will characterize MNPs and trace their biodistribution, while a clinical pilot will correlate MNP exposure with treatment outcomes. Data integration, biostatistics, and AI-based modeling will support the translation of findings into clinical guidelines, policy briefs, and public communication. A multidisciplinary team will collaborate to ensure real-world impact. By bridging oncology and environmental health, MICRORAD aims to establish eco-oncology as a new field, contributing to patient safety and sustainable innovation.

What you commit to

• Study type: Observational
• Planned participants: 500
• From Sept 2026 to the primary completion date, Oct 2029
• No sites listed in no country
• Visits and tests: ask the trial team, the registry does not list them

Built from the registry fields of ClinicalTrials.gov. It describes the study, not your situation.

Who cannot take part

Copied verbatim from ClinicalTrials.gov and grouped by topic. Only the trial team decides who can take part.

Who the study is looking for

Age in the registry: 18 years to - · Sex: All

Full criteria on ClinicalTrials.gov