Effect of sodium ascorbate on transplantable murine tumors

The possible inhibitory effect of vitamin C (sodium ascorbate) on metastases from two transplantable murine tumors was studied. The first murine tumor, colon carcinoma CA-51, was subcutaneously transplanted into male Balb/c mice. Immediately after tumor implantation, the mice were given either 1.0% sodium ascorbate or tap water. Subcutaneous tumors were surgically removed from one half of the animals in each group when the tumors reached a size of 1.5 cm. Results indicated no differences in survival, in the number of mice with metastases, or in the size of metastases between treated and untreated groups. The second murine tumor, lymphosarcoma 6C3HED, was subcutaneously implanted into C3H male and female mice. Sodium ascorbate (1.0% or 3.0%) was administered as above, but surgery was not performed. Again, no significant differences in the number of mice with metastases were observed between treated and untreated groups, with the exception of brain and regional lymph node metastases (enhanced, in males, by ascorbate).