Failure of ascorbic acid to inhibit FANFT-induced bladder cancer

L-ascorbic acid has been shown to reduce the elevated level of urinary chemiluminescence found in patients with bladder cancer. Thus, it has been suggested that vitamin C might be efficacious in bladder tumor prophylaxis. However, there is no clinical evidence to support this thesis. We evaluated whether L-ascorbic acid given concomitantly with the urinary carcinogen FANFT was capable of reducing the incidence of subsequent bladder tumors. No inhibitory effect was observed. Unless evidence is obtained demonstrating bladder tumor prevention by L-ascorbic acid its routine administration to patients with bladder cancer is not indicated.