Vitamin C & NHL

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The Effects Of High-Dose Vitamin C On Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Patients

03 Jan 2008

Scientists at Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson's

Kimmel Cancer Center have received approval for a first-of-its kind

study on the effect high dose vitamin C has on non-Hodgkin lymphoma

patients. Researchers from the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center of

Integrative Medicine and Kimmel Cancer Center in conjunction with the

National Institutes of Health will study whether high doses of

vitamin C can slow the progression of the deadly disease.

" This is a very unique study for a set of patients who have really

run out of options, " said Monti, M.D., director of the Myrna

Brind Center of Integrative Medicine, and primary investigator of the

study. " Vitamin C administered intravenously has shown great promise

in the laboratory and there has been some anecdotal data in cancer

patients, but no one has really ever run a detailed study on humans.

Vitamin C doesn't cost much and is very low in toxicity, making it a

particularly desirable agent for further study. "

Recent research conducted by the NIH collaborators of this study has

shown that when given in sufficient amounts intravenously, vitamin C

converts to hydrogen peroxide. When applied to certain non-Hodgkin

lymphoma cells in the laboratory, the converted hydrogen peroxide

kills them while leaving the surrounding healthy cells intact.

" Previous human studies have been flawed because the vitamin C was

given orally versus intravenously, " said Monti. " The problem with

that is the oral route tightly limits the amount of vitamin C that

can get into the bloodstream. When vitamin C is given intravenously

you can get up to 70 times more of the vitamin into the blood versus

the same dose given orally. It is these high blood levels that are

required to get the mechanism of action, vitamin C converting to

hydrogen peroxide around the cancer cells, to occur. Although other

cancers could be a contender for this intervention, the preliminary

data on non-Hodgkin lymphoma cells is why we decided to start with

this disease. "

The study will begin with 20 non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients who have

failed standard therapy. Each study participant will be given varied

intravenous doses of vitamin C three times a week. The patients will

be evaluated and monitored for progression of their disease. The

study's goals are to show diminished progression of the disease in

participating patients.

" As leaders in the field of integrative medicine, Jefferson is always

seeking new and innovative therapies for our patients, " concluded

Monti. " We want to look in every corner for solutions. This study is

a unique collaboration of several clinical and research specialists.

If this study yields positive data we will do further studies to

expand the availability of this intriguing therapy. "

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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.

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The Jefferson-Myrna Brind Center of Integrative Medicine (Brind

Center) is at the nation's forefront of integrative care and

research. It is one of the few hospital-based integrative medical

centers in the country, and its staff are recognized leaders in the

field. The Brind Center's mission is to bring together the best of

conventional medicine with promising complementary therapies, with

the goal of facilitating health and healing in all dimensions: body,

mind, spirit, and community. The Brind Center works closely with the

Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center to provide innovative quality of life

programs for cancer patients.

The Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center (KCC) is one of a select group of

National Cancer Institute-designated Clinical Cancer Centers in the

nation. The KCC conducts more than 100 clinical trials each year

aimed at the prevention and treatment of cancer, while its basic

scientists work to gain a better understanding of the development and

behavior of the disease. It is the cornerstone of the Jefferson

Cancer Network (JCN), a consortium of more than 20 institutions

dedicated to improving cancer care and clinical research.

Source: Rick Cushman

Jefferson University

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Article URL: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/92951.php