TITLE:
Effect of Propofol on Colorectal Cancer Angiogenesis and Metastasis
AUTHORS:
Yubo Li, Yanna Pi
KEYWORDS:
Propofol, VEGF, MMP-3, Colorectal Cancer
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Gastroenterology,
Vol.11 No.2,
February
25,
2021
ABSTRACT: Background: Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) is one of the most critical factors that stimulate angiogenesis in colorectal cancer patients. The Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are involved in the degeneration of the extracellular matrix and regulation of cell-matrix interactions. MMP-3 plays an important role in metastasis of colorectal cancer. Our aim was to investigate the effect of propofol on VEGF and MMP-3 plasma levels in colorectal cancer patients. Methods: Colorectal cancer patients were included. Blood samples were collected at before and after propofol infusion. VEGF and MMP-3 plasma levels were measured using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Results: A total of 40 colorectal cancer patients were included. The median age of patients was 53 years. Nineteen patients were male and 21 were female. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with colon cancer and 15 were rectal cancer. The mean propofol infusion dose was 2.02 mg/kg. There were no significant variations in VEGF and MMP-3 plasma levels after propofol infusion compared with before. No side effects occurred in all the patients. Conclusion: Propofol might have no significant effect on VEGF and MMP-3 levels in colorectal cancer patients and further studies need to be investigated.