Scientists discover a surprising link between vitamin C and cancer survival

Key Points:

• The phase 2 EVITA clinical trial found that daily oral supplementation with 1,000 mg of vitamin C for one year reduced adverse events and altered immune signaling molecules in patients with precancerous blood conditions and early-stage blood cancers, suggesting potential benefits in inflammation-related disease processes.
• Although vitamin C did not significantly slow the expansion of abnormal blood cells, an exploratory analysis showed a significant survival benefit after three years for those taking vitamin C compared to placebo, warranting further investigation in a larger phase 3 trial.
• The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study enrolled 109 patients with clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS) or myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), conditions that can progress to acute myeloid leukemia, and found that more than half had low vitamin C levels at baseline, which normalized with supplementation.
• Vitamin C is believed to support the TET2 enzyme involved in gene regulation and prevention of cancerous growth, with prior research indicating its strongest protective effects occur when administered before cancer is established, aligning with the cancer interception approach emphasized by the researchers.
• The EVITA trial represents the first randomized controlled study of oral vitamin C in precancerous blood disorders, and researchers are continuing to analyze data to understand the biological mechanisms behind the observed survival benefit, with hopes that future larger trials will confirm these promising preliminary findings.