The effects of propofol on TNF-α and IL-6 in patients with endometrial and cervical cancer

Genital carcinomas in women, such as endometrial and cervical carcinoma, remain one of the main reasons for death in women worldwide due to malignant tumours, and while the treatment options are relatively established today, the progression rate of the disease is still at high levels. Cytokines have been found to have a significant impact on the development and progression of these diseases, with pro-inflammatory factors such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) influencing the tumour’s growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. The anaesthetics used during surgical treatment for these tumours have proven effects on the serum levels and local expression of cytokines in experimental settings. However, the results for propofol, which is the commonest choice for inducing anaesthesia, remain unclear in clinical settings, though the anti-cancer properties of propofol have been reported in specific carcinoma cell lines.