FREE NEJM E-TOC    HOME   |   SUBSCRIBE   |   CURRENT ISSUE   |   PAST ISSUES   |   COLLECTIONS   |   Search Term  Advanced Search

Sign in | Get NEJM's E-Mail Table of Contents — Free | Subscribe

Volume 312:137-141 January 17, 1985 Number 3 Next

	Add to Personal Archive Add to Citation Manager Notify a Friend E-mail When Cited PubMed Citation

Abstract

It has been claimed that high-dose vitamin C is beneficial in the treatment of patients with advanced cancer, especially patients who have had no prior chemotherapy. In a double-blind study 100 patients with advanced colorectal cancer were randomly assigned to treatment with either high-dose vitamin C (10 g daily) or placebo. Overall, these patients were in very good general condition, with minimal symptoms. None had received any previous treatment with cytotoxic drugs. Vitamin C therapy showed no advantage over placebo therapy with regard to either the interval between the beginning of treatment and disease progression or patient survival. Among patients with measurable disease, none had objective improvement. On the basis of this and our previous randomized study, it can be concluded that high-dose vitamin C therapy is not effective against advanced malignant disease regardless of whether the patient has had any prior chemotherapy.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Du, J., Martin, S. M., Levine, M., Wagner, B. A., Buettner, G. R., Wang, S.-h., Taghiyev, A. F., Du, C., Knudson, C. M., Cullen, J. J. (2010). Mechanisms of Ascorbate-Induced Cytotoxicity in Pancreatic Cancer. Clin. Cancer Res. 16: 509-520 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• OHNO, S., OHNO, Y., SUZUKI, N., SOMA, G.-I., INOUE, M. (2009). High-dose Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) Therapy in the Treatment of Patients with Advanced Cancer. Anticancer Res 29: 809-815 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Sharifi, N. (2009). Commentary: Antioxidants for Cancer: New Tricks for an Old Dog?. The Oncologist 14: 213-215 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Chen, Q., Espey, M. G., Sun, A. Y., Pooput, C., Kirk, K. L., Krishna, M. C., Khosh, D. B., Drisko, J., Levine, M. (2008). From the Cover: Pharmacologic doses of ascorbate act as a prooxidant and decrease growth of aggressive tumor xenografts in mice. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105: 11105-11109 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Frei, B., Lawson, S. (2008). Vitamin C and cancer revisited. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105: 11037-11038 [Full Text]  
• Li, Y., Schellhorn, H. E. (2007). New Developments and Novel Therapeutic Perspectives for Vitamin C. J. Nutr. 137: 2171-2184 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Cassileth, B. R., Deng, G. E., Gomez, J. E., Johnstone, P. A. S., Kumar, N., Vickers, A. J. (2007). Complementary Therapies and Integrative Oncology in Lung Cancer: ACCP Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (2nd Edition). Chest 132: 340S-354S [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Chen, Q., Espey, M. G., Sun, A. Y., Lee, J.-H., Krishna, M. C., Shacter, E., Choyke, P. L., Pooput, C., Kirk, K. L., Buettner, G. R., Levine, M. (2007). Ascorbate in pharmacologic concentrations selectively generates ascorbate radical and hydrogen peroxide in extracellular fluid in vivo. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 104: 8749-8754 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Davies, A. A., Davey Smith, G., Harbord, R., Bekkering, G. E., Sterne, J. A. C., Beynon, R., Thomas, S. (2006). Nutritional interventions and outcome in patients with cancer or preinvasive lesions: systematic review.. JNCI J Natl Cancer Inst 98: 961-973 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Padayatty, S. J., Riordan, H. D., Hewitt, S. M., Katz, A., Hoffer, L. J., Levine, M. (2006). Intravenously administered vitamin C as cancer therapy: three cases.. CMAJ 174: 937-942 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Assouline, S., Miller, W. H. (2006). High-dose vitamin C therapy: renewed hope or false promise?. CMAJ 174: 956-957 [Full Text]  
• Moss, R. W. (2006). Should Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Be Prescribed Antioxidants?. Integr Cancer Ther 5: 63-82 [Abstract]  
• Vickers, A. J., Kuo, J., Cassileth, B. R. (2006). Unconventional Anticancer Agents: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials. JCO 24: 136-140 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Chen, Q., Espey, M. G., Krishna, M. C., Mitchell, J. B., Corpe, C. P., Buettner, G. R., Shacter, E., Levine, M. (2005). Pharmacologic ascorbic acid concentrations selectively kill cancer cells: Action as a pro-drug to deliver hydrogen peroxide to tissues. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 102: 13604-13609 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• D'Andrea, G. M. (2005). Use of Antioxidants During Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy Should Be Avoided. CA Cancer J Clin 55: 319-321 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Hathcock, J. N, Azzi, A., Blumberg, J., Bray, T., Dickinson, A., Frei, B., Jialal, I., Johnston, C. S, Kelly, F. J, Kraemer, K., Packer, L., Parthasarathy, S., Sies, H., Traber, M. G (2005). Vitamins E and C are safe across a broad range of intakes. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 81: 736-745 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Gonzalez, M. J., Miranda-Massari, J. R., Mora, E. M., Guzman, A., Riordan, N. H., Riordan, H. D., Casciari, J. J., Jackson, J. A., Roman-Franco, A. (2005). Orthomolecular Oncology Review: Ascorbic Acid and Cancer 25 Years Later. Integr Cancer Ther 4: 32-44 [Abstract]  
• Mayland, C. R, Bennett, M. I, Allan, K. (2005). Vitamin C deficiency in cancer patients. Palliat Med 19: 17-20 [Abstract]  
• Padayatty, S. J., Sun, H., Wang, Y., Riordan, H. D., Hewitt, S. M., Katz, A., Wesley, R. A., Levine, M. (2004). Vitamin C Pharmacokinetics: Implications for Oral and Intravenous Use. ANN INTERN MED 140: 533-537 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Vickers, A. (2004). Alternative Cancer Cures: "Unproven" or "Disproven"?. CA Cancer J Clin 54: 110-118 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Ladas, E. J., Jacobson, J. S., Kennedy, D. D., Teel, K., Fleischauer, A., Kelly, K. M. (2004). Antioxidants and Cancer Therapy: A Systematic Review. JCO 22: 517-528 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Cassileth, B. R., Deng, G. (2004). Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer. The Oncologist 9: 80-89 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Drisko, J. A., Chapman, J., Hunter, V. J. (2003). The Use of Antioxidants with First-Line Chemotherapy in Two Cases of Ovarian Cancer. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 22: 118-123 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Weiger, W. A., Smith, M., Boon, H., Richardson, M. A., Kaptchuk, T. J., Eisenberg, D. M. (2002). Advising Patients Who Seek Complementary and Alternative Medical Therapies for Cancer. ANN INTERN MED 137: 889-903 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Antman, K., Benson, M. C., Chabot, J., Cobrinik, D., Grann, V. R., Jacobson, J. S., Joe, A. K., Katz, A. E., Kelly, K., Neugut, A. I., Russo, D., Tiersten, A., Weinstein, I. B. (2001). Complementary and Alternative Medicine: The Role of the Cancer Center. JCO 19: 55s-60 [Full Text]  
• Hoffer, L. J. (2001). Proof versus plausibility: rules of engagement for the struggle to evaluate alternative cancer therapies. CMAJ 164: 351-353 [Full Text]  
• Padayatty, S. J., Levine, M. (2001). New insights into the physiology and pharmacology of vitamin C. CMAJ 164: 353-355 [Full Text]  
• Padayatty, S. J, Levine, M. (2000). Reevaluation of Ascorbate in Cancer Treatment: Emerging Evidence, Open Minds and Serendipity. J. Am. Coll. Nutr. 19: 423-425 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Cassileth, B. R. (1999). Complementary and Alternative Cancer Medicine. JCO 17: 44-52 [Full Text]  
• Agus, D. B., Vera, J. C., Golde, D. W. (1999). Stromal Cell Oxidation: A Mechanism by Which Tumors Obtain Vitamin C. Cancer Res. 59: 4555-4558 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Dyer, H. R. (1997). Homeopathy--The Emperor's Medicine. Arch Intern Med 157: 1139-1140 [Abstract]  
• Rosenbaum, P. R. (1991). Discussing Hidden Bias in Observational Studies. ANN INTERN MED 115: 901-905 [Abstract]  
• Council on Scientific Affairs, (1987). Vitamin Preparations as Dietary Supplements and as Therapeutic Agents. JAMA 257: 1929-1936 [Abstract]  
• Dickerson, J.W.T. (1986). Does Diet Cure Cancer?. The Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health 106: 191-193