Intravenous Ascorbic Acid to Prevent and Treat Cancer-associated Sepsis?

Authors

Thomas E. Ichim, Riordan Clinic, Wichita, KS
Boris Minev, University of California San Diego
Todd Braciak, Medistem Inc, San Diego, CA
Brandon Luna, Medistem Inc, San Diego, CA
Ron Hunninghake, Riordan Clinic, Wichita, KS
Nina A. Mikirova, Riordan Clinic, Wichita, KS
James A. Jackson, Riordan Clinic, Wichita, KS
Michael J. Gonzalez, University of Puerto Rico
Jorge R. Miranda-Massari, University of Puerto Rico
Doru T. Alexandrescu, Georgetown Dermatology, Washington DC
Constantin A. Dasanu, University of Connecticut
Vladimir Bogin, Medistem Inc, San Diego, CA
Janis Ancans, University of Latvia
R. Brian Stevens, University of Nebraska
Boris Markosian, Medistem Inc, San Diego, CA
James Koropatnick, The University of Western Ontario
Chien-Shing Chen, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Neil H Riordan, Riordan Clinic, Wichita, KS

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-4-2011

Journal

Journal of Translational Medicine

Volume

9

Issue

25

URL with Digital Object Identifier

http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1479-5876-9-25

Abstract

The history of ascorbic acid (AA) and cancer has been marked with controversy. Clinical studies evaluating AA in cancer outcome continue to the present day. However, the wealth of data suggesting that AA may be highly beneficial in addressing cancer-associated inflammation, particularly progression to systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multi organ failure (MOF), has been largely overlooked. Patients with advanced cancer are generally deficient in AA. Once these patients develop septic symptoms, a further decrease in ascorbic acid levels occurs. Given the known role of ascorbate in: a) maintaining endothelial and suppression of inflammatory markers; b) protection from sepsis in animal models; and c) direct antineoplastic effects, we propose the use of ascorbate as an adjuvant to existing modalities in the treatment and prevention of cancer-associated sepsis.