Characterization of Diffuse Glioma tumors’ chemical exposome and potential positive associations with environmental pollution through air particulate matter analysis and wastewater based epidemiology

Project Information

EnviBrain

Grant agreement ID: 101105240

DOI

10.3030/101105240

Project closed

EC signature date 2 May 2023

Start date 1 November 2023

End date 31 October 2025

Funded under

• Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

Total cost

No data

EU contribution

€ 181 152,96

Coordinated by

AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS
Spain

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EnviBrain (Characterization of Diffuse Glioma tumors’ chemical exposome and potential positive associations with environmental pollution through air particulate matter analysis and wastewater based epidemiology)

Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2025-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Chemicals are essential to modern life, yet their widespread use results in continuous release into the environment. People in urban areas are especially exposed to complex mixtures of contaminants through air, water, food, and consumer products. Increasing evidence suggests that these mixtures may contribute to chronic diseases, including cancer, but specific links between environmental exposures and disease remain poorly understood.

This issue is particularly relevant for diffuse gliomas, the most common malignant brain tumors in adults. These cancers have very poor prognosis, and with fewer than 5% of cases having a family history, environmental factors are suspected to play a major role. Despite this, the chemical exposome of human brain tumors has never been systematically investigated.

EnviBrain aimed to address this challenge by applying advanced exposomics to brain tumor tissue for the first time. The project had three main objectives:

1. Characterize the chemical exposome of diffuse glioma tissues using a unique patient cohort, providing the first in-depth analysis of chemicals accumulated in human brain tumors.
2. Analyze the chemical composition of airborne particulate matter (UFPs, PM₁, PM₁₀) across Barcelona and assess whether ultrafine particles may act as carriers of hazardous chemicals capable of reaching the brain.
3. Assess population-wide chemical exposure through wastewater epidemiology and explore overlaps with chemicals detected in brain tissues.

By integrating state-of-the-art analytical chemistry with data-driven exposomics, EnviBrain aimed to reveal which environmental chemicals people are exposed to, how these chemicals vary across particle sizes and locations, and whether airborne contaminants may accumulate in the brain.

The project’s findings reinforce the scientific foundation for EU strategies on chemical safety, zero pollution, and public health, supporting the development of more targeted measures to reduce hazardous chemical emissions and environmentally driven disease risks.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

EnviBrain combined high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), environmental monitoring, and human exposomics. The main scientific achievements include:

1. Brain tumor exposome investigation
Brain samples from the Bellvitge Glioma Cohort, including diffuse glioma tissues and non-tumoral controls, were analyzed using validated HRMS workflows. This generated the first large-scale dataset of exogenous chemicals detected in human brain tissue. More than 100 environmental contaminants were identified, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, industrial chemicals, PFAS, flame retardants, plasticizers, benzotriazoles, and food-related compounds.

2. Airborne particulate matter characterization
A sampling campaign gathered several paired UFP, PM₁ and PM₁₀ samples across Barcelona (urban, traffic, harbor, airport). An advanced LC–HRMS workflow was developed and validated for targeted and non-target screening. Results showed clear size-resolved chemical fingerprints: UFPs carried more semi-volatile substances (e.g. nicotine), while larger fractions contained more hydrophobic and persistent pollutants (e.g. PFAS).

3. Wastewater-based epidemiology
Influent wastewater and sewage sludge samples from multiple sites were analyzed to profile community-wide exposure to pharmaceuticals, lifestyle chemicals (e.g. caffeine, sweeteners), industrial chemicals, and other pollutants.

4. Integrated environmental monitoring – human exposomics comparison
A preliminary comparison of air particulate matter and brain samples identified tens of chemicals common to both matrices, suggesting possible pathways by which airborne pollutants may reach the brain.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

EnviBrain delivers several advances that go beyond current scientific knowledge:
• Comprehensive exposomics characterization of diffuse glioma tissues using HRMS, revealing a wide range of environmental chemicals present in the human brain.
• First size-resolved chemical profiling of UFPs, PM₁, and PM₁₀ in Barcelona, using targeted and untargeted workflows.
• Evidence linking environmental monitoring with human exposomics, identifying chemicals common to both particulate matter and brain tissues.
• Generation of extensive datasets supporting future research on exposure–disease associations, toxicological evaluations, and environmental contributors to brain cancer.

Potential next steps include:
• Completing statistical correlation analyses between environmental exposures and brain tumor development.
• Integrating exposomic data with clinical information.
• Expanding similar monitoring efforts to other European urban areas.
• Investigating whether chemicals carried by UFPs may contribute to other air-pollution-related diseases.
• Supporting regulatory initiatives by identifying contaminants that may require stricter control.