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Updated: Oct 29, 2025
11:56
A Rapid and Specific Microplate Assay for the Determination of Intra- and Extracellular Ascorbate in Cultured Cells
Published on: April 11, 2014
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Vitamin C (Ascorbate) and Redox Topics in Cancer
Christophe Glorieux1, Pedro Buc Calderon2,3
1Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cancer Medicine, Guangzhou, P. R. China.
Antioxidants & Redox Signaling
|July 13, 2021
Summary
Vitamin C (ascorbate) shows anticancer effects by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), particularly in cancer cells with specific mutations. Its low toxicity allows safe integration into cancer treatment protocols.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Vitamin C (ascorbate) has a complex history in cancer treatment.
- Its anticancer efficacy is linked to pro-oxidant effects, increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS).
- Recent research highlights its potential, prompting re-evaluation of its role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To re-evaluate the significance of ascorbate in cancer treatment.
- To explore the mechanisms behind vitamin C's anticancer activities.
- To assess the potential of ascorbate in combination therapies.
Main Methods:
- Review of in vitro and in vivo studies on ascorbate's anticancer effects.
- Analysis of vitamin C's impact on cancer cell hallmarks like redox homeostasis and HIF-1α.
- Examination of ascorbate's interactions with reactive species (ROS, RNS, RSS).
Main Results:
- High-dose ascorbate preferentially kills cancer cells with Kirsten-Ras (K-ras) and B-raf oncogene (BRAF) mutations.
- Vitamin C affects cancer cell redox homeostasis and inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) activity.
- Ascorbate exhibits extremely low toxicity, making it safe for clinical use.
Conclusions:
- Ascorbate's pro-oxidant properties are key to its anticancer efficacy.
- Further research is needed to understand ascorbate's reactions with various reactive species and their targets.
- Optimal combinations of ascorbate with standard cancer treatments warrant investigation.
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