High Dose of Vitamin C Along With Chemotherapy Effective in Fighting Cancer; Researchers Say

In a recent study, researchers from the University of Kansas examined the effects of Vitamin C or ascorbate on a variety of cancer cells and in ovarian cancer cells in mice. The intravenous ascorbate given in high doses surrounds the tumor cells forming hydrogen peroxide and damages their DNA without harming the rest of the cells.

It was found that given along with chemotherapy it lessens the harmful side effects. The experiment was further  carried on 27 women with advanced ovarian cancer. Along with chemotherapy sessions, some subjects were given doses of vitamin c depending on their body weights.  The researchers found that those subjects on vitamin C had more energy and tolerated chemotherapy better than those who did not receive it.

Dr James Drisko, director of integrative medicine at University of Kansas Medical Center said, " We did not expect to find that." Reports L A Times.

 Interest in Vitamin C as a potential cancer therapy peaked long ago. It was given orally as a pill, which was digested even before it had a chance to react and be delivered in the blood stream. Hence, it failed in two cancer clinical trials. "There's been a bias since the late 1970s that vitamin C cancer treatment is worthless and a waste of time," said Drisko, and added that they were trying to overcome the old bias, reports the Los Angeles Times.  

Drisko added that the researchers directly injected the vitamin c into the veins of cancer patients and the doses must be high- equivalent to Vitamin C found in 2,000 oranges.

Qi Chen, study author and biochemist at the University of Kansas said, "Ascorbate causes an energy crisis for the cancer cells."

Vitamin C is an inexpensive compound that holds promise in treating cancer and also reduces the toxic effect of chemotherapy. The trial did not have enough women taking part and further research is needed . But, the researchers are of the opinion that it is worth trying out more patients.

Chen also said in a press statement, "We believe that the time has arrived for research agencies to vigorously support thoughtful and meticulous clinical trials with intravenous vitamin C."

The research is published in the Journal Science Translation Medicine.