Evaluating Propranolol Treatment During Surgery for Resectable Gastrointestinal Tumors and Its Effects on Immune Response

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are studying the use of propranolol, a beta-blocker, during the perioperative period for patients with surgically removable primary gastric and colorectal cancers. The study aims to assess the safety, effectiveness, and ability of propranolol to reduce psychological stress around surgery. Additionally, a multi-omics approach analyzes clinical samples to investigate how the treatment may activate the bodys anti-tumor immune response and its mechanisms. This clinical trial is a randomized controlled pilot study enrolling 40 patients, split evenly between gastric and colorectal cancer groups. Participants in the treatment group receive oral propranolol starting 10 to 14 days before surgery, with doses increased after 3 days if certain health criteria are met. Treatment continues through surgery and for three weeks afterward. The control group does not receive propranolol. Both groups are monitored during treatment and followed up at 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Participants will undergo various assessments including anxiety and depression scales, heart rate, blood pressure, norepinephrine levels, blood glucose, oxygen saturation, and multiple molecular tests on tumor and blood samples before and during surgery. Researchers will monitor safety and efficacy outcomes throughout the study period. Key outcomes include psychological scores and physiological measurements up to 24 days post-surgery, as well as two-year survival and recurrence-free rates. The total study duration for each participant includes preoperative treatment and long-term follow-up to evaluate disease progression or survival.

The Use of Propranolol in the Perioperative Period of Resectable Gastrointestinal Tumors