['Tumor cell migration and diffuse infiltration into brain parenchyma are known causes of recurrence after treatment in glioblastoma (GBM), mediated in part by the interaction of glioma cells with the extracellular matrix, followed by degradation of matrix by tumor cell derived proteases, particularly the matrix metalloproteinases (MMP). Sevoflurane and thiopental are anesthetics commonly used in cancer surgery. However, their effect on the progression of glioma cells remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the role of these anesthetics on the migration and activity of MMP-2 in glioma cells.', 'Cultured U87MG cells were pretreated with sevoflurane or thiopental and in vitro wound healing scratch assay was carried out to analyze their effect on migration of these cells. Gelatin zymography was carried out to examine the effect of these anesthetics on tumor cell MMP-2 activity using the conditioned media 24 h after pretreatment. Cell viability was analyzed using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.', 'U87MG cells exposed to 2.5% sevoflurane or different concentrations of thiopental significantly decreased migration and activity of MMP-2 compared to control. No effect was seen on the viability of these cells after pretreatment with sevoflurane or thiopental.'] Does sevoflurane and thiopental preconditioning attenuate the migration and activity of MMP-2 in U87MG glioma cells?