1: Biochem Pharmacol. 2008 Dec 15;76(12):1644-52. Epub 2008 Sep 30.

The controversial place of vitamin C in cancer treatment.

Verrax J, Calderon PB.

Unité de Pharmacocinétique, Métabolisme, Nutrition, et Toxicologie (PMNT),
Département des sciences pharmaceutiques, Université Catholique de Louvain,
Brussels, Belgium.

In 2008, we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the discovery of vitamin C. Since
then, we know that vitamin C possesses few pharmacological actions although it is
still perceived by the public as a "miracle-pill" capable to heal a variety of
illnesses. Cancer is one of the most common diseases for which a beneficial role 
of vitamin C has been claimed. Thus, its dietary use has been proposed in cancer 
prevention for several years. Apart from this nutritional aspect, an extensive
and often confusing literature exists about the use of vitamin C in cancer that
has considerably discredited its use. Nevertheless, recent pharmacokinetic data
suggest that pharmacologic concentrations of vitamin C can be achieved by
intravenous injections. Since these concentrations exhibit anticancer activities 
in vitro, this raises the controversial question of the re-evaluation of vitamin 
C in cancer treatment. Therefore, the purpose of this commentary is to make a
critical review of our current knowledge of vitamin C, focusing on the rationale 
that could support its use in cancer therapy.


PMID: 18938145 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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