High-dose intravenous vitamin C
Vitamin C tablets do not treat cancer: two randomised trials at the Mayo Clinic settled that in the 1980s. Intravenous doses reach blood levels high enough to generate hydrogen peroxide in tumours, and small trials alongside chemotherapy are under way, but no adequately sized trial has yet shown benefit.
Overview
Linus Pauling's claim that 10 g of oral vitamin C prolonged survival was tested in two double-blind randomised trials at the Mayo Clinic (Moertel et al., NEJM 1985 and its 1979 predecessor) and found no benefit. Interest revived when pharmacokinetic work showed that intravenous ascorbate achieves plasma concentrations 100-fold higher than oral dosing, at which it acts as a pro-oxidant producing hydrogen peroxide in the extracellular space. Phase 1 and small phase 2 trials in pancreatic, ovarian, lung and brain tumours show that it is safe alongside chemotherapy and radiotherapy and may reduce some toxicities; a small randomised phase 2 in metastatic pancreatic cancer (Iowa, 2024) reported longer survival with intravenous ascorbate added to gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel and needs confirmation in a larger trial. The NCI PDQ summary concludes that evidence of anticancer efficacy in humans is insufficient. High doses are contraindicated in G6PD deficiency and renal impairment and can interfere with glucose meters.
How it works
At millimolar concentrations ascorbate autoxidises to generate hydrogen peroxide, which is selectively toxic to cells with low catalase and high labile iron, features of some tumours.
- Plausible pro-oxidant mechanism at intravenous doses
- Good safety alongside chemotherapy in phase 1 and 2
- Randomised phase 2 signal awaiting confirmation
- Oral vitamin C definitively ineffective
- No adequately powered randomised trial
- Widely sold in private clinics ahead of evidence
Latest papers
topQuery for this technology: (TITLE:"High-dose intravenous vitamin C" OR ABSTRACT:"High-dose intravenous vitamin C") AND (cancer OR tumor OR tumour OR oncology OR carcinoma OR lymphoma OR leukemia OR leukaemia OR myeloma OR sarcoma OR melanoma OR glioma). Results are unfiltered search hits about High-dose intravenous vitamin C, not a curated reading list.
Pages like this
not linked directly; found by shared links- TechnologyMistletoe extracts (Iscador, Helixor)
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Misinformation and unproven therapies, Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and the tags complementary, supportive-care, evidence:insufficient.
- TechnologyFenbendazole, ivermectin and other internet 'repurposed cures'
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Misinformation and unproven therapies, No incentive to repurpose cheap drugs and the tags complementary, supportive-care, evidence:insufficient.
- TechnologyAntineoplastons (Burzynski clinic)
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Misinformation and unproven therapies, Glioma & glioblastoma and the tags complementary, supportive-care, evidence:insufficient.
- TechnologyReiki, healing touch and other energy therapies
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Misinformation and unproven therapies and the tags complementary, supportive-care, evidence:insufficient.
- TechnologyCurcumin and turmeric
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Misinformation and unproven therapies and the tags complementary, supportive-care, evidence:insufficient.
- TechnologyEssiac, Hoxsey and other 'herbal cancer cures'
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Misinformation and unproven therapies and the tags complementary, supportive-care, evidence:insufficient.
- TechnologyHomeopathy
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Misinformation and unproven therapies and the tags complementary, supportive-care, evidence:insufficient.
- TechnologyAyurvedic medicine and cancer
Shares Evidence-based integrative oncology, Misinformation and unproven therapies and the tags complementary, supportive-care, evidence:insufficient.