High-dose vitamin C shows promise in pancreatic cancer treatment

The University of Cincinnati Cancer Center's Olugbenga Olowokure was featured in a Local 12 story discussing new research from the University of Iowa published in the journal Redox Biology that suggests that high doses of vitamin C, when combined with standard chemotherapy, may significantly extend the life expectancy of patients with advanced pancreatic cancer.

Olowokure was not involved in the study, but reviewed it and explained 18 patients in the study received 75 grams of high-dose vitamin C intravenously three times a week in addition to standard of care chemotherapy.

"By getting a significant higher amount of vitamin C within your bloodstream, you are actually able to generate hydrogen peroxide," said Olowokure, MD, professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UC's College of Medicine and director of inpatient service at UC Medical Center. 

This appears to combat tumor cells, as the study found the patients receiving high-dose vitamin C had longer progression-free survival. Patients in the high-dose group had a higher survival rates, 16 months, compared to 8.3 months in the standard group.

Watch or read the Local 12 story.

Featured photo at top of an IV. Photo/Amornrat Phuchom/iStock Photo.