Vitamin C Part 1 - Stacking with Chemotherapy: Doubling Survival in Pancreatic Cancer | Dr. Goodyear

"Doubling Survival in Pancreatic Cancer: The Power of High-Dose Vitamin C and Chemotherapy"

In this episode of Prescribed by Dr. Nathan Goodyear, we reveal the transformative role of high-dose pharmacological vitamin C in metastatic pancreatic cancer. A pivotal study published in Redux Biology (October 2024) demonstrates how combining vitamin C with chemotherapy can double survival rates and improve the quality of life for patients facing one of the most aggressive cancers.

Critical Findings:
"Overall survival doubled to 16 months with vitamin C."

"Vitamin C disrupts cancer metabolism while protecting healthy cells."

"Chemotherapy combined with vitamin C improved patient quality of life and treatment tolerance."

Study Overview:
This randomized Phase II clinical trial involved 34 patients with Stage IV metastatic pancreatic cancer, split into two groups:

1. Control Group: Standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel).

2. Intervention Group: Chemotherapy plus high-dose IV vitamin C (75 grams, thrice weekly).

Key Results:
Overall Survival (OS):
- Control group: 8 months.
- Intervention group: 16 months (a 100% increase).
Progression-Free Survival (PFS):
- Control group: 4 months.
- Intervention group: 6 months.

Patients in the vitamin C group reported fewer chemotherapy-related side effects, including fatigue and nausea, and better treatment tolerance.

Vitamin C: The Trinity Effect
Dr. Goodyear introduces the Trinity Effect, a hallmark of vitamin C in cancer care:

1. Targeting: Generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cancer cells, causing oxidative stress and cell death.

2. Protecting: Antioxidant properties protect healthy tissues from chemotherapy’s damage.

3. Healing: Supports immune function and cellular repair, improving overall health during treatment.

Mechanisms of Action:
- Selective Cytotoxicity: High-dose ascorbate generates hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in tumor microenvironments. Cancer cells, with reduced catalase levels, cannot neutralize H2O2, leading to DNA damage and apoptosis.

Energy Crisis: Vitamin C depletes ATP and NADH in cancer cells, disrupting their metabolism and triggering cell death.

Synergy with Chemotherapy: Enhances chemotherapy’s effects by amplifying DNA damage and sensitizing cancer cells.

Implications for Pancreatic Cancer:
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, with five-year survival rates under 10%. This study highlights how pharmacological vitamin C improves survival and quality of life:

- Enhanced Tumor Control: Vitamin C slows tumor progression and amplifies chemotherapy’s effects.

- Reduced Side Effects: Patients experience less nausea and fatigue, improving adherence to treatment and outcomes.

Clinical Significance of Catalase:
The role of catalase, a key detox enzyme, is central to vitamin C’s selective targeting:

- Normal Cells: High catalase levels allow healthy tissues to neutralize H2O2 and avoid oxidative stress.

- Cancer Cells: Low catalase activity makes cancer cells susceptible to H2O2-induced damage.

This differential targeting ensures vitamin C harms cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues, making it a cornerstone of integrative therapy.

Study-Supported Insights:
1. Programmed Cell Death: Vitamin C triggers apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis, effectively disrupting tumor growth.

2. Tumor Microenvironment: Reduces stromal barriers and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), improving drug delivery and anti-tumor immunity.

3. Dosing Precision: Plasma levels of vitamin C were monitored to ensure therapeutic concentrations exceeding 20 mM (350 mg/dL), optimizing pro-oxidant effects on cancer cells.

Call to Action for Patients:
Dr. Goodyear stresses patient empowerment in advancing integrative cancer care. By understanding evidence-based therapies like vitamin C, patients can advocate for personalized treatments and drive innovation in medicine.

What You Can Do:
1. Educate Yourself: Visit Pre-scribe.com for show notes, references, and resources.

2. Share the Knowledge: Share this episode with loved ones affected by pancreatic cancer.

3. Engage with Us: Subscribe to the Prescribed Podcast for more breakthroughs in integrative oncology.

Key Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction: Vitamin C and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness
01:00 - Vitamin C is the Flagship of Integrative Oncology
09:07 - Clinical Study Results: Doubling Survival Rates
22:15 - Mechanisms: Targeting Cancer and Protecting Healthy Cells
29:52 - Conclusion and Patient Advocacy

References:
Bodeker KL et al. A randomized trial of pharmacological ascorbate, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel for metastatic pancreatic cancer. Redox Biol. 2024 Nov;77:103375.

Shojaei-Zarghani S et al. Theanine and cancer: A systematic review. Phytother Res. 2021;35(9):4782-4794.

External Articls & Sources:
https://www.foxnews.com/person/s/angelica-stabile

https://www.foxnews.com/health/pancreatic-cancer-patient-survival-doubled-high-dose-common-vitamin-study-finds