HIgh Dose Vitamin C

WHAT IS INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C CANCER TREATMENT?

Intravenous vitamin C refers to the method of administering vitamin C parenterally (i.e. to bypass the gut and liver), in order to achieve therapeutic levels in the blood, tissues, and organs. By comparison, oral administration of vitamin C is dependant on absorption through the gut and must be processed by the liver before it enters the bloodstream and other tissues in the body. There are limits as to how much vitamin C can be absorbed through the gut and consequently alter plasma (blood) levels of vitamin C to have an effect. Intravenous vitamin C is used clinically to achieve plasma levels of vitamin C far exceeding what can be achieved by oral supplementation.

Extensive research over the past 35 years provides compelling evidence that intravenous vitamin C (IVC), when infused at high doses and moderate frequency in conjunction with radiation or chemotherapy, kills cancer in the early stages. [1,2,3] In the case of late-stage cancer, IVC may improve the quality of life. [4,5]

There is a vast amount of literature that exists on the topic of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and cancer. As early as 1949, ascorbate use was proposed for cancer therapy. [6] Pioneering work by scientist and two-time Nobel Prize recipient Linus Pauling laid the groundwork for much of the discovery around the therapeutic effect of vitamin C on cancer patients.[7] Since 1952, ascorbate has been proposed as a chemotherapeutic agent.[8,9] In the past 25 years, thousands of studies including cell, animal, and human studies have added to the growing body of evidence for the clinical and scientific basis of vitamin C use in cancer.[10,11]

Linus Carl Pauling was an American chemist, biochemist, peace activist, author, and educator. He was one of the most influential chemists in history and ranks among the most important scientists of the 20th century

Some of the most significant and compelling research has come from the Riordan Clinic Research Institute in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Hugh Riordan, M.D. is largely responsible for carrying forward the work of Linus Pauling. He and his team of researchers are responsible for the groundbreaking work in defining the therapeutic range for IVC therapy as a chemotherapeutic and biologic response modifier.[12-15] The “Riordan IVC Protocol” forms the basis of the intravenous vitamin C treatments offered at our clinic.

HOW DOES INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C TREATMENT WORK?

Evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies have proven a multitude of anti-cancer effects from vitamin C when therapeutic levels (therapeutic range: 350-400 mg/dL) are achieved in the blood. The only method to achieve this therapeutic range is via intravenous infusion of vitamin C. Scientific and clinical data supports that, at therapeutic levels, vitamin C has the following actions:

Direct cytotoxic (cell killing mediated by toxicity) effect on human cancer cells;[16-19]
Induces apoptosis (cell death) in catalase-deficient cancer cells while sparing non-cancerous (healthy, non-catalase deficient) cells from oxidative damage;[20-23]
Concentrates in cancerous cells due to the increased number of glucose receptors expressed by malignant cells (vitamin C has been shown to accumulate up to five times the concentration than in normal cells), selectively inducing apoptosis of cancer cells;[24-26]
Similar to chemotherapy agents, vitamin C generates significant hydrogen peroxide (H202) which destroys cancer cells;[27-29]
Promotes healthy mitochondria function;[30,3]
Reduces oxidative damage to the tumor suppressor gene p53 caused by chemo and radiation;[31,32]
Stimulates the immune system to increase production of agents such as interferon and natural killer (NK) cells that engage in the cancer-killing process as well as prevent the growth and spread of the tumor;[33-35]
Decreases the production of inflammatory cytokines such as prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), C-reactive protein (CRP), TNF-alpha, IL-8 and others, thereby reducing the inflammatory response that is responsible for growth, spread and recurrence of the disease (inflammation and elevated CRP are associated with poor prognosis and decreased survival in many types of cancer);[36-38]
Exerts direct and indirect anti-angiogenic effects on tumor (inhibits the formation of blood vessels by the tumor used to support its growth, spread, and invasion);[39]
Protects higher oxygenated, non-cancerous tissues while simultaneously acting as a selective pro-drug in cancer tissue [40]

WILL INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C INTERFERE WITH MY CHEMOTHERAPY OR RADIATION TREATMENTS?

No. Research has shown that using IVC concurrently with chemotherapy or radiation will not decrease the effectiveness of these treatments. In addition, studies performed at the Riordan Cancer Treatment & Research Center have concluded that the tumor cells become susceptible to high-dose vitamin C at plasma levels of 350-400 mg/dL, known as the ‘therapeutic range’. At this concentration in blood, vitamin C acts a pro-oxidant, rather than an anti-oxidant.[40,41,42] As a pro-oxidant, IVC appears to augment the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation. [14,42-46].

Results of a large-scale, multicentre study in Germany, published in 2011 in the journal In Vivo, concluded that complementary treatment of breast cancer patients with IVC enhanced tolerability and effectiveness of standard tumor-destructive therapies (in particular, this study looked at patients receiving radiation and/or chemotherapy) and reduced quality of life-related side effects from chemo and radiation. [46]

The pro-oxidant effect of IVC is similar to chemotherapy, in that it induces apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. However, unlike chemotherapy, the pro-oxidant effects of IVC spare non-cancerous (healthy) cells from oxidative damage. In essence, IVC acts as a pro-drug.[40] IVC does not interfere with the majority of chemo agents, as evidenced by in vitro (cell) and in vivo (animal and human) research in addition to clinical evidence.[14] The IVC protocol is not administered in conjunction with methotrexate chemotherapy or velcade.

It is well established that cancer cells can be resistant to the anti-cancer effects of radiation treatment.[47] When used concurrently with radiation therapy, IVC helps sensitize cancer cells to the anti-cancer effects of radiation therapy, effectively enhancing the outcome of treatment.[48-52] In addition, IVC provides support for the body’s immune system, thereby facilitating recovery and healing post-radiation, as well as minimizing the many side effects of radiation.

Based on extensive research conducted at the University of Kansas Hospital, physicians there recommend administering IVC on the same day as the chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.[53,54] A phase I trial has been completed and a phase II trial is currently underway at the University of Kansas integrative medicine research center to evaluate the effects of IVC in combination with gemcitabine and erlotinib (chemo agents) in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer. Conventional treatment approaches have had little impact on the course of pancreatic cancer, which has the highest fatality rate among cancers. Gemcitabine, the primary therapeutic agent for pancreatic carcinoma, produces minimal survival benefit as a single agent. The human trial was initiated after results of an animal model study conducted at the university found therapeutic levels of ascorbate (vitamin C) synergizes with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cell lines.[55] The phase I trial results (published Jan 2012) revealed no increased toxicity with the addition of IVC to the chemo protocol, and positive outcomes were observed in the combo treatment group.[56] The results are now being followed up with a longer, phase II trial.

A similar randomized phase I/IIa pilot trial was conducted to assess the safety and benefit of administering high-dose IVC in combination with chemotherapy (first line carboplatin and paclitaxel) in newly diagnosed advanced stage III ovarian cancer or stage IV ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer represents the leading cause of death from all gynecological malignancies and remains the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. Due to the lethality of ovarian cancer and the need for improved treatment options, this population was selected to evaluate IVC in combination with standard treatment to explore the benefits of an outcome. Results revealed the combination treatment is remarkably safe and suggested a trend to benefit on outcomes, warranting further study of greater magnitude in the future.[57]

The belief of some oncologists that vitamin C as an ‘antioxidant’ may reduce the effectiveness of chemotherapy and radiation was due in part to an article published by Agus et al in 1999, in which they described how cancer cells acquire and concentrate vitamin C.[58] The authors suggested that this increased intracellular concentration of vitamin C might provide malignant (cancerous) cells with a metabolic advantage. Despite the significant misunderstanding of the detailed biochemistry of ascorbic acid in cancer cells with the conclusions drawn from this one study, some medical practitioners have embraced and held on to the belief that vitamin C in cancer may be harmful.

In actual fact, cancer cells use glucose as the main energy for fuel.[11] This has been the premise for much of the recent evidence for how low-glycemic (low carbohydrate) and calorie-restricted diets improve survival in cancer patients, reduce the rate of recurrence and overall lower the risk of cancer.[59,60] Because vitamin C has a similar molecular structure as glucose, the glucose transporters that are more heavily expressed (4-6 fold) on cancer cells, facilitate the entry and concentration of vitamin C intracellularly.[11,61] Once heavily concentrated inside the cell, vitamin C is cytotoxic (toxic to the cancer cells) and thereby acts as a pro-oxidant drug, effectively killing the cancer cells and reducing tumor burden.[40]

To address the concern about the use of antioxidants with cancer treatments, it’s important to recognize that a vast body of literature exists on this topic and an overwhelming majority of studies have demonstrated that antioxidants when prescribed appropriately, enhance the effects radiation and chemotherapy.[48-51,62-63]

In 2007, Dr. Keith Block, MD and others led a systematic review of evidence gathered from MEDLINE, Cochrane and other esteemed medical and scientific databases. The study was published in Cancer Treatment Review and found that, of the 845 trials meeting inclusion criteria for the review, none of the trials reported evidence of significant decreases in efficacy from antioxidant supplementation during chemotherapy. In fact, the authors concluded, “many of the studies indicated that antioxidant supplementation resulted in either increased survival times, increased tumor responses, or both, as well as fewer toxicities than controls”. [64]

It must be emphasized here that the type of antioxidants, dosage and frequency must be carefully assessed on a case-by-case basis and depends largely on the type of disease and specific treatment(s). Some antioxidants can interfere with the effectiveness of radiation and certain chemotherapy. If you take antioxidants, you must be under the care and guidance of a naturopathic or medical physician specially trained in integrative cancer care.

IF I TAKE ORAL VITAMIN C (ASCORBATE) WILL IT PROVIDE THE SAME RESULTS?

No. Oral vitamin C is an antioxidant with limited absorption. Most individuals cannot absorb more than 8 grams per day of vitamin C. In addition, with oral ascorbate, we cannot attain blood levels of vitamin C high enough to kill cancer cells. Ascorbate is more efficient when administered intravenously than when given orally because it bypasses the gut and higher circulating levels are achieved for longer periods of time. Furthermore, the therapeutic target of plasma vitamin C levels (described above) can only be attained through the intravenous route, on average with 50 grams or more of vitamin C per infusion.[11,13,14]

However, we advise patients take oral vitamin C (at least 3 grams daily) in order to maintain the serum vitamin C levels between treatments. Oral supplementation of vitamin C also helps prevent a possible vitamin C “rebound effect” on days when IVC infusion is not given.[14] In addition, oral vitamin C supplementation (and other antioxidants) has been used to help prevent cancer onset and its recurrence. [11]

WHAT TYPES OF CANCER WILL BENEFIT FROM INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C TREATMENT?

Studies (human and animal) on intravenous vitamin C have shown benefit in every type of cancer, including breast, ovarian, colon, lung, kidney, prostate, liver, pancreatic, skin, thyroid, gastric, brain and blood-borne cancers such as leukemia’s and lymphomas.[65] However, there are many factors that will determine the degree of effectiveness of any given therapy. This includes epigenetic factors (i.e. diet, smoking and other lifestyle factors will influence the effectiveness of therapies), other treatments used synergistically with intravenous vitamin C, individual genetic mutations and variation, as well some unique characteristics of the primary cancer cells and cancer stem cells (CSC’s) or circulating tumor cells (CTC’s).[66-68]

Specialized tests we use at our clinic (from international research centers and laboratories) have been extremely helpful in identifying which treatments in particular (both natural substances and pharmacologic agents) will specifically target the CTC’s and CSC’s in a given patient.

Vitamin C and Cervical Cancer:

HOW FREQUENTLY ARE THE INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C TREATMENTS ADMINISTERED?

We begin patients with a low dose (15 grams) and raise the dose incrementally with subsequent infusions until the therapeutic level is attained. The average frequency of treatments is 2-3 per week. Each infusion takes between 1-3 hours, depending on the amount of IVC administered.

Based on a large and growing body of evidence, the following conclusions about the clinical use of vitamin C are firmly established:

IVC can be effective as a stand-alone therapy but is most commonly used in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic and radiation regimens.
Concurrent IVC with chemo/radiation may reduce side effects and enhance the quality of life.
Concurrent IVC helps to preserve immunocompetence (critical functional anti-cancer capabilities of the immune system) during chemotherapy and radiation.
Peer-reviewed scientific and clinical literature reveals over 8000 patients who have benefited from either IVC therapy or other concurrent antioxidant regimens

CAN IVC TREATMENTS BE USED TO TREAT OTHER CONDITIONS?

Many chronic illnesses can benefit from IVC. We have had great results with IVC as part of a successful treatment plan for patients suffering from Lyme disease, chronic fatigue, arthritis and chronic or recurrent infections. [38,69-72]

IV nutrient therapy is routinely administered to our patients to protect from the undesirable and hazardous consequences of certain dental procedures. Many dental procedures will consequently result in a substantial release of toxins and pathogenic microbes into the bloodstream and surrounding tissues.[73-75] Vitamin C and glutathione are critical components to assist the body with the removal of hazardous toxins and bacteria, thereby offering protection to the systems that are most vulnerable and likely to be harmed in the process: the immune system, heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, and brain.[76] Vitamin C and glutathione have a molecular composition whereby they are able to chelate (bind) toxins – including heavy metals.[77] In these situations, low-dose vitamin C is administered (as an anti-oxidant, not a pro-oxidant), coupled with other vitamins and antioxidants to support the body’s immune and detoxification capabilities.

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