Epub 2014 May 26.Fritz H1, Flower G2, Weeks L2, Cooley K3, Callachan M1, McGowan J1, Skidmore B1, Kirchner L4, Seely D5.Author information1Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.2Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.3Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.4Carp Ridge Natural Health Clinic, Carp, Ontario, Canada.5Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada dseely@oicc.ca.AbstractBACKGROUND: Intravenous vitamin C (IVC) is a contentious adjunctive cancer therapy, widely used in naturopathic and integrative oncology settings. We conducted a systematic review of human interventional and observational studies assessing IVC for use in cancer patients.METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and AMED from inception to April 2013 for human studies examining the safety, effectiveness, or pharmacokinetics of IVC use in cancer patients.
RESULTS: Of 897 records, a total of 39 reports of 37 studies were included: 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 15 uncontrolled trials, 6 observational studies, and 14 case reports. IVC dosing ranged from 1 g to more than 200 g ascorbic acid per infusion, typically administered 2 to 3 times weekly. IVC does not appear to increase toxicity or interfere with antitumor effects of gemcitabine/erlotinib therapy or paclitaxel and carboplatin. Based on 1 RCT and data from uncontrolled human trials, IVC may improve time to relapse and possibly enhance reductions in tumor mass and improve survival in combination with chemotherapy. IVC may improve quality of life, physical function, and toxicities associated with chemotherapy, including fatigue, nausea, insomnia, constipation, and depression. Case reports document several instances of tumor regression and long-term disease-free survival associated with use of IVC.CONCLUSION: There is limited high-quality clinical evidence on the safety and effectiveness of IVC.
Asia Pac J Clin Oncol. doi: 10.1111/ajco.12173.Wilson MK1, Baguley BC, Wall C, Jameson MB, Findlay MP.Author information1Auckland City Hospital, Auckland, New Zealand.AbstractIn the 1970s, Pauling and Cameron reported increased survival of patients with advanced cancer treated with high-dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C (L-ascorbate, ascorbic acid). These studies were criticized for their retrospective nature and lack of standardization of key prognostic factors including performance status. Subsequently, several well-designed randomized controlled trials failed to demonstrate a significant survival benefit, although these trials used high-dose oral vitamin C. Marked differences are now recognized in the pharmacokinetics of vitamin C with oral and IV administration, opening the issue of therapeutic efficacy to question. In vitro evidence suggests that vitamin C functions at low concentrations as an antioxidant but may have pro-oxidant activity at high concentrations. The mechanism of its pro-oxidant action is not fully understood, and both intra- and extracellular mechanisms that generate hydrogen peroxide have been proposed.
“I learned about treating cancer with Vitamin C IV’s along with change in diet and daily supplements. It has been a year since my original diagnosis of colon cancer and am happy to report I am tumor free and my cancer markers are normal. Most important I am strong and healthy!” “My surgery was successful and I healed very quickly due to the IV Vitamin C and the supplements Dr. Bankole prescribed. We feel my immune system has been greatly improved and I am now in remission. We also feel the Vitamin C has helped prevent the cancer cells from spreading.” “After a few treatments I felt the stability in the joint return, reducing swelling and pain following physical activity. I went from not being able to walk, to being able to run and enjoy the physical activities I love to do!” “I had pain at the right side of my buttocks that had been going on for four years. The pain occasionally made it so I could hardly walk. I had previously tried a lot of other treatments such as physical and rehab therapy without help.
Since receiving five prolotherapy treatments from Dr. Bankole I am totally pain free.” “Within a week after my first treatment, the pain in my knee had reduced by at least 70%! I was astonished to say the least. I continued with two additional treatments of prolotherapy and am happy to say that my knee is as strong now as it has ever been. Best of all, it is pain free! I can run, jump and do all the things that I demand of my knee. Without Dr. Bankole and his treatment I would not have been able to continue my athletic endeavors and earn first place finishes in both the Southern California and Western Regional Master’s Track and Field Championships in my event.” “When I first came to Dr. Ayo Bankole for prolotherapy, I was not really walking. I was dragging myself and those feeble, tiny steps were extremely painful. After the second treatment, relatives and friends were already commenting about the ease in which I walked. The change is fantastic. Yesterday I went swimming!
I feel so much more in control of my legs and can trust them to move me around. I used to have to concentrate in order not to fall which made me insecure. These treatments have given me confidence.” “After six treatments on both my right knee and right hip I began walking normally again with no pain. My shoulders are now pain-free and I have resumed most of my former activities such as swimming one-half mile a day in my new lap pool. The benefits of prolotherapy were enormous for me and it can do the same for anyone who wants to have healing and relief from pain.” “After two sessions I regained 75% range of motion. I expect a full recovery following my subsequent sessions. I recommend Dr. Bankole and Prolotherapy routinely.” “I’m telling anyone who will listen just how great is to be able to do things now that I could not do before because of the pain. I am 72 years old and feel better than I’ve felt in years, thanks to Dr. Bankole.” “I am so grateful to Dr. Bankole for helping me to improve my physical and emotional health.
He and his staff are professional, friendly and helpful.” “I was living a life of chronic fatigue and pain. My seemingly endless list of symptoms made sense to no one else but Dr. Bankole. I am sleeping better, my pain has subsided, and I am more energetic. Everyone around me has noticed the difference. I feel human again. I cannot thank Dr. Bankole enough.” “The best decision I made was seeing Doctor Bankole, N.D. After the first visit he modified my diet, made up a tincture to drink and with one follow up visit, I have had NO SIGN of any gout attacks in two years! I would tell anyone to see a Naturopathic Doctor if they want to be cured of any condition.” “It’s incredible how quickly you’ve been able to help me move from being someone in chronic pain with occasional attacks to feeling totally physically fine! I believe if I didn’t find you when I did, I might not have a gallbladder today!” “I am delighted with Dr. Preston. She is very caring, responsive and knowledgeable.