Ascorbic Acid as a Therapeutic Agent in Cancer

IntroductionDuring recent years we have been investigating the possibilitythat an increased intake of vitamin C (ascorbic acid, sodiumascorbate, calcium ascorbate) would be effective in achievingsome control of cancer. In 1966 Cameron stated that strengtheningthe intercellular ground substance, which holds cells together,should permit normal tissues to resist the infiltrationof malignant tumors. Cameron and Rotman (1972) suggested thatan increase in intake of ascorbate might inhibit the lysosomalglycosidases necessary for malignant invasive growth, andPauling at the same time (1972) suggested that an increase inthe rate of synthesis of collagen fibrils by provision of largeramounts of the vitamin would have a similar effect. Clinicaltrials were cautiously begun by Cameron in Vale of Leven Hospitalin November 1971, and have continued. The results of thesetrials and other studies in the same field are discussed in thefollowing pages.