Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025.
World J Clin Oncol. Jul 24, 2025; 16(7): 104727
Published online Jul 24, 2025. doi: 10.5306/wjco.v16.i7.104727
Table 2 Summary of the experimental studies of the effects of propofol on various gastrointestinal cancer cells
Ref.
Cancer cell type
Mechanism of action
Results
Miao et al[100], 2010ColonInhibition of MAPKs phosphorylation including ERK1/2/JNK, P38 mainly through GABAA receptorInhibition of cancer cell invasion
Zhang et al[101], 2020ColonSTAT3/HOTAIR axis by activating WIF-1; suppressing the Wnt pathwayPromotion of cell apoptosis and inhibition of cell invasion
Bai et al[104], 2021GastricUp-regulation of the expression of has-miR-328-3p; down-regulation of STAT3Inhibition of cell proliferation
Wang et al[105], 2023ColonDown-regulation of SIRT1; inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathwayInhibition of stemness and cell proliferation
Zhan et al[109], 2023GastricInduction of miR-493-3p via targeting DKK1; inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signalingInhibition of the growth and invasion of cells
Alexa et al[110], 2023ColonIncreased expression of TP53 geneNo influence on apoptosis, migration, and cell cycle
Xu et al[112], 2018ColonInduction of IL-13; suppression the expression of STAT6 and inhibition of IL-13/STAT6/ZEB1 signaling pathway through up-regulation of miR-361 and miR-135bInhibition of EMT, invasion and cell proliferation
Liu et al[113], 2020GastricPromotion of miR-195-5p expression; suppression of Snail expressionInhibition of EMT, invasion, and migration of cells
Zhao and Liu[114], 2021ColonKnockdown of circ-PABPN1; upregulation of miR-638; downregulation of SRSF1 expressionRepression in cell viability, colony formation, invasion, migration, and promotion in apoptosis
Wu et al[115], 2022ColonUpregulation of caspase 3; inhibition in glycolytic pathway with suppression LDHReduction in cell viability, migration, and invasion
Li et al[116], 2020ColonUpregulation of miR-124-3p.1; downregulation of AKT3 expressionSuppression of proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of cells
Yao et al[117], 2024ColonRegulating FOXO1-mediated transcription of LINC01133; promotion NR3C2 expression through miR-186-5p spongingInhibitory effect on cell progression and tumor metastases
Ye et al[118], 2021ColonPromoting miR-1-3p; inhibition of IGF-1 expression through interacting with its 3’-UTR; inactivating AKT/mTOR signalsSuppression of cell proliferation and promotion of apoptosis
Xian et al[120], 2020StomachOverexpressing of miR-205; inhibiting the YAP1 axisInhibition of cell growth; promotion of apoptosis
Iwasaki et al[121], 2023ColonDecrease in HIF1α, IL1β, HGF gene expressions; increase in TIMP-2 gene and protein expressionReduction in tumor size
Chen et al[122], 2018ColonDepression of the NMDAR-CAMKII-ERK pathway and consequent inhibition of HIF1α; inhibition of the expression of GLUT1, HK2, PGK1, and LDHA enzymesDose-dependent decrease in aerobic glycolysis (Warburg effect)
Gao et al[123], 2021ColonInhibition of the expression of miR-155, TLR4/NF-κBPromotion of the expression of tight junction protein in the intestinal mucosa; protection of the intestinal barrier; prevention of the translocation of intestinal bacteria; increase in the level of beneficial Lactobacillus bacteria on the mucosal surface
Liu et al[124], 2018ColonPositive expression of GranB and Ki67; increased release of LDHIncrease in the number of NK cells; promotion of the activation, proliferation ability, and killing effects of NK cells
Zhou et al[125], 2018EsophagusIncrease in the expression of granzyme B and IFN-γPromotion of the proliferation and functional capacity of NK cells
Ai and Wang[126], 2020GastricInhibition of the negative regulation of gastric cancer cells and TGF-1; SMAD4 pathway by upregulating the expression of granzyme BIncrease the cytotoxicity and killing functions of NK cells