Table 2 Multicenter RCTs comparing impact of propofol vs. volatile anesthesia on survival after cancer surgery
Sponsor country | Study arms | n = | Eligible patients | Outcomes P = primary S = secondary | Trial registration | Trial status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
China | Sevoflurane vs propofol | 1228 (actual) | Surgery for primary malignant tumor; adults 65–90 years; no radiation or chemotherapy preoperatively; no neurologic disorders; no significant organ dysfunction | P: all-cause survival (up to 5 y) S: recurrence free survival (5 y); quality of life (3 y); cognitive function (3 y) | NCT02660411 | Enrollment complete |
USA | Volatile (sevoflurane, desflurane, isoflurane) vs. propofol | 1804 (actual) | Lung, esophageal, pancreatic, radical bladder, liver, gallbladder; adults ≥ 18 years | P: all-cause survival (2–5 y) S: cancer recurrence (2–5 y); postoperative length of stay | NCT03034096 | Enrollment complete |
Sweden | Sevoflurane vs propofol | 8000 (target) | Radical breast or colorectal cancer surgery; adults ≥ 18 years | P: all-cause survival (5 y) S: all-cause survival (1 y) | NCT01975064 | Enrolling |
Australia | Sevoflurane vs. propofol; factorial design also randomizes to lidocaine infusion or not | 5736 (target) | Stage I–III colorectal or stage I–IIIa NSC lung cancer; distant metastases, no significant liver disease; not receiving medications that are CYP1A2 or CYP3A4 inhibitors | P: disease free survival (3 y) S: all-cause survival (3 y); postoperative complications (5 days postoperatively); chronic post surgical pain (90 days and 12 months) | NCT04316013 | Enrolling |