A phase 2 randomised, placebo-controlled trial has explored the effects of oral vitamin C supplementation in patients with pre-cancer blood disorders. The study, published in the journal Cancer, aimed to determine if vitamin C could slow the growth of abnormal blood-cell clones.
Dr John Riches, Clinical Reader in Cancer Immuno-metabolism at Barts Cancer Institute, St Bartholomew’s Hospital, noted that the main aim of the study was not achieved, as vitamin C did not significantly slow the growth of these abnormal cells.
An apparent improvement in survival was observed, but Dr Riches highlighted that this was an unexpected finding in a relatively small study not designed to test for extended lifespan. He concluded that while the results are interesting enough to warrant a larger trial, there is not yet sufficient evidence to suggest vitamin C improves outcomes or should alter clinical practice for these early-stage blood cancers.