Ascorbate induces autophagy in pancreatic cancer.

Source

Department of Surgery, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA. joseph-cullen@uiowa.edu

Abstract

Ascorbate (ascorbic acid, vitamin C) is one of the early, unorthodox treatments for cancer. The evidence upon which people base the use of ascorbate in cancer treatment falls into two categories: clinical data on dose concentration relationships, and laboratory data describing potential cell toxicity with high concentrations of ascorbate in vitro. Clinical data show that when ascorbate is given orally, fasting plasma concentrations are tightly controlled by decreased absorption, increased urine excretion, and reduced ascorbate bioavailability. In contrast, when ascorbate is administered intravenously, concentrations in the millimolar level are achieved. Thus, it is clear that intravenous administration of ascorbate can yield very high plasma levels, while oral treatment does not.

PMID:

20400857

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC2859094

Free PMC Article

Images from this publication.See all images (1) Free text

Figure 1Antioxidant enzyme schematic

GSH = glutathione; GSSG = glutathione disulfide; GR = glutathione disulfide reductase; G-6-PD = glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; γGCS = γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase; GS = glutathione synthetase.

ASCORBATE INDUCES AUTOPHAGY IN PANCREATIC CANCER

Autophagy. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 April 15.;6(3):421-422.

Publication Types, MeSH Terms, Substances, Grant Support

Publication Types

• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
• Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH Terms

• Administration, Oral
• Antioxidants/metabolism
• Ascorbic Acid*/administration & dosage
• Ascorbic Acid*/pharmacology
• Ascorbic Acid*/therapeutic use
• Autophagy/drug effects*
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Oxidative Stress/drug effects
• Pancreatic Neoplasms*/drug therapy
• Pancreatic Neoplasms*/metabolism

Substances

• Antioxidants
• Ascorbic Acid

Grant Support

• CA115785/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States
• R21 CA115785-01A1/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States
• R21 CA115785-02/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States

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