Propofol induces apoptosis and increases gemcitabine sensitivity in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro by inhibition of nuclear factor-κB activity.

Aim: To investigate the effect of propofol on human pancreatic cells and the molecular mechanism of propofol action.

Methods: We used the human pancreatic cancer cell line MIAPaCa-2 for in vitro studies measuring growth inhibition and degree of apoptotic cell death induced by propofol alone, gemcitabine alone, or propofol followed by gemcitabine. All experiments were conducted in triplicate and carried out on three or more separate occasions.