Lilly Intravenous Vitamin C (IVC) Reduces Tumor Size in Advanced Cancers
You can tell that oncologist Victor Marcial-Vega, MD, likes a challenge. During a talk in 2010 at the Medical Sciences Campus in the University of Puerto Rico, he explained how he and his team had specifically sought out patients with advanced, “incurable” Stage IV cancers.
Of these, 40 patients received 40,000-75,000 mg of vitamin C intravenously several times a week, along with a special diet and other supplements. Incredibly, 75% of these patients achieved an initial tumor response rate, defined as a 50% or more reduction in tumor size!
Cancer Treatment
In a study of 40 patients with stage IV cancer, 75% achieved a reduction in tumor size after receiving intravenous vitamin C several times a week
The Riordan intravenous vitamin C (IVC) protocol – now of great interest for its potential use in adjunctive cancer care – involves the slow infusion of vitamin C at high doses. IVC use has recently become very popular among integrative and orthomolecular medicine practitioners.
Vitamin C was first suggested as a tool for cancer treatment in the 50s, when its role in collagen production and protection led to the hypothesis that its replenishment would protect normal tissues from tumor invasiveness and metastasis.
Also, since cancer patients are often vitamin C deficient, replenishment may improve immune system function and enhance health and wellbeing in cancer patients. Up to a four-fold survival time has been observed in terminal cancer patients treated with IVC.
There are many valid reasons for using IVC to treat cancer:
#1. High blood levels of vitamin C can safely be achieved with IVC infusions.
#2. At high levels, vitamin C is preferentially toxic to cancer cells and is able to prevent the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors and help them to grow.
#3. Vitamin C can accumulate in tumors, with significant tumor growth inhibition.
#4. Published case studies report that IVC has anti-cancer efficacy, improves patient wellbeing, and lowers markers of inflammation and tumor growth.
#5. Phase I clinical studies indicate that IVC can be administered safely, with relatively few adverse effects.
