Polystyrene Microplastics Induce Radiotherapy Resistance in Lung Cancer by Suppressing Ferroptosis Through NF-κB Activation

AIMS: Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are emerging environmental pollutants, but their impact on lung cancer treatment remains unclear. This study investigates how PS-MPs affect radiotherapy efficacy in lung cancer, focusing on their role in ferroptosis regulation and NF-κB pathway activation. RESULTS: , PS-MPs accumulated in lung tumor-bearing mice, reducing radiotherapy efficacy by increasing tumor volume and weight while decreasing survival rates. Knockdown of NF-κB restored ferroptosis sensitivity and mitigated PS-MPs-induced radioresistance, confirming the NF-κB-dependent inhibition of ferroptosis. INNOVATION AND CONCLUSION: 44, 118-133.