The DOI matches its Crossref record; 111 of the 111 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Intravenous Vitamin C and Cancer: A Systematic Review
Open accessAbstract
Background. Intravenous vitamin C (IVC) is a contentious adjunctive cancer therapy, widely used in naturopathic and integrative oncology settings. We conducted a systematic review of human interventional and observational studies assessing IVC for use in cancer patients. Methods. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and AMED from inception to April 2013 for human studies examining the safety, effectiveness, or pharmacokinetics of IVC use in cancer patients. Results. Of 897 records, a total of 39 reports of 37 studies were included: 2 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 15 uncontrolled trials, 6 observational studies, and 14 case reports. IVC dosing ranged from 1 g to more than 200 g ascorbic acid per infusion, typically administered 2 to 3 times weekly. IVC does not appear to increase toxicity or interfere with antitumor effects of gemcitabine/erlotinib therapy or paclitaxel and carboplatin. Based on 1 RCT and data from uncontrolled human trials, IVC may improve time to relapse and possibly enhance reductions in tumor mass and improve survival in combination with chemotherapy. IVC may improve quality of life, physical function, and toxicities associated with chemotherapy, including fatigue, nausea, insomnia, constipation, and depression. Case reports document several instances of tumor regression and long-term disease-free survival associated with use of IVC. Conclusion. There is limited high-quality clinical evidence on the safety and effectiveness of IVC. The existing evidence is preliminary and cannot be considered conclusive but is suggestive of a good safety profile and potentially important antitumor activity; however, more rigorous evidence is needed to conclusively demonstrate these effects. IVC may improve the quality of life and symptom severity of patients with cancer, and several cases of cancer remission have been reported. Well-designed, controlled studies of IVC therapy are needed.
Overview
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Verification
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
In the citing paper
“A significant number of clinical trials have indicated that vitamin C administered intravenously in high-doses (in most trials, 50–100 g twice or thrice weekly) as a treatment for various cancers including glioblastoma, ovarian, prostate, lung, or rectum cancer is well tolerated with minimal toxicity, improves the quality of life for patients, and has a synergistic therapeutic effect when combined”
From Vitamin C-Sources, Physiological Role, Kinetics, Deficiency, Use, Toxicity, and Determination (2021) · cites this paper as [182]
In the citing paper
“However, most of these studies were not designed as large-scale randomized clinical trials and clear verifications of the clinical efficacy of vitamin C are currently rather limited [177,182,183,184].”
From Vitamin C-Sources, Physiological Role, Kinetics, Deficiency, Use, Toxicity, and Determination (2021) · cites this paper as [182]
In the citing paper
“Vitamin C or ascorbic acid (AA) is a powerful antioxidant that can have beneficial effects on delaying the aging process and age-related diseases thorough its action on redox oxidative and mitochondrial pathways, on the immune system, on inflamm-aging, on endothelial integrity, and on lipoprotein metabolism [114,115,116,117,118,119,120,121].”
From The Role of Antioxidants in the Interplay between Oxidative Stress and Senescence (2022) · cites this paper as [120]
Citations
Cites
The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials
Higgins, J. P. T., Altman, D. G., Gotzsche, P. C., Juni, P., Moher, D., Oxman, A. D., Savovic, J., Schulz, K. F., Weeks, L., Sterne, J. A. C., et al. (2011) · BMJ · doi:10.1136/bmj.d5928 · Cited by 33,817
Self-citation(2014) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 17,633
Burris, H. A., Moore, M. J., Andersen, J., Green, M. R., Rothenberg, M. L., Modiano, M., Cripps, M. C., Portenoy, R. K., Storniolo, A. M., Tarassoff, P. G., et al. (1997) · Journal of Clinical Oncology · doi:10.1200/jco.1997.15.6.2403 · Cited by 5,895
The Revised CONSORT Statement for Reporting Randomized Trials: Explanation and Elaboration
Altman, D. G., Schulz, K. F., Moher, D., Egger, M., Davidoff, F., Elbourne, D., Gøtzsche, P. C., Lang, T., & for the CONSORT Group (2001) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-134-8-200104170-00012 · Cited by 3,835
Chen, Q., Espey, M. G., Krishna, M. C., Mitchell, J. B., Corpe, C. P., Buettner, G. R., Shacter, E., & Levine, M. (2005) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0506390102 · Cited by 1,075
Vitamin C pharmacokinetics: Implications for oral and intravenous use
Padayatty, S. J., Sun, H., Wang, Y., Riordan, H. D., Hewitt, S. M., Katz, A., Wesley, R. A., & Levine, M. (2004) · Annals of Internal Medicine · doi:10.7326/0003-4819-140-7-200404060-00010 · Cited by 992
Chen, Q., Espey, M. G., Sun, A. Y., Pooput, C., Kirk, K. L., Krishna, M. C., Khosh, D. B., Drisko, J., & Levine, M. (2008) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0804226105 · Cited by 854
Cameron, E., & Pauling, L. (1976) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.73.10.3685 · Cited by 710
Chen, Q., Espey, M. G., Sun, A. Y., Lee, J.-H., Krishna, M. C., Shacter, E., Choyke, P. L., Pooput, C., Kirk, K. L., Buettner, G. R., et al. (2007) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.0702854104 · Cited by 676
Ma, Y., Chapman, J., Levine, M., Polireddy, K., Drisko, J., & Chen, Q. (2014) · Science Translational Medicine · doi:10.1126/scitranslmed.3007154 · Cited by 501
Research works printed but not linked: 26
- Vollbracht C, 2011, In Vivo, 25, 983
- Nagy B, 2003, In Vivo, 17, 289
- 10.1007/s00280-010-1418-6 · DOI
- Szablewski L, 2013, Biochim Biophys Acta, 1835, 164
- Mikirova NA, 2007, J Orthomol Med, 22, 153
- Riordan HD, 2005, P R Health Sci J, 24, 269
- Stephenson CM, 2007, J Am Osteopath Assoc, 107, 212
- Riordan HD, 1998, J Orthomol Med, 13, 72
- Riordan HD, 1990, J Orthomol Med, 5, 5
- Riordan HD, 2004, P R Health Sci J, 23, 115
- Riordan N, 1996, J Orthomol Med, 11, 80
- De Oliveira JLG, 1998, J Orthomol Med, 13, 176
- Jackson JA, 2002, J Orthomol Med, 17, 117
- Jackson JA, 1995, J Orthomol Med, 10, 87
- Hong SW, 2007, Oncol Rep, 18, 811
- Knowles HJ, 2003, Cancer Res, 63, 1764
- Pollard HB, 2010, In Vivo, 24, 249
- 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2011.03.007 · DOI
- Riordan HD, 2003, P R Health Sci J, 22, 287
- Jackson JA, 2006, J Orthomol Med, 21, 188
- Anderson P, Paper presented at: Conference of the Oncology Association of Naturopathic Physicians (OncANP)
- Jaipakdee S, 2004, J Med Assoc Thai, 87, 255
- Sullivan GG, Conference abstract of the Society of Integrative Oncology
- Prasad SB, 1992, Pol J Pharmacol Pharm, 44, 383
- Sarna S, 1993, Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz), 41, 327
- Song EJ, 1995, Eur J Pharmacol, 292, 119
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Items 101–124 of 124
Ried, K., Eng, P., & Binjemain, T. (2023) · Case Reports in Oncology · doi:10.1159/000534628 · Cited by 1
A Review of the Applications of Vitamin C to Treat Human Diseases
He, X., Zhang, W., He, Y., Jiang, Y., Xu, J., & He, W. (2024) · Pharmaceutical Fronts · doi:10.1055/s-0044-1791542 · Cited by 1
de Aguiar, R. P. S., Souza, J. M. T., de Menezes, A. P. M., do Nascimento, M. L. L. B., Sousa, J. M. D. C. E., Cavalcante, A. A. D. C. M., Ferreira, P. M. P., Araújo, A. J., & Filho, J. D. B. M. (2024) · Drug and Chemical Toxicology · doi:10.1080/01480545.2024.2425990 · Cited by 1
Vitamins in the Pathogenesis of Prostate Cancer: Implications for Prevention and Therapeutic Support
Królikowska, K., Kiślak, J., Orywal, K., & Zajkowska, M. (2025) · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · doi:10.3390/ijms26094336 · Cited by 1
Use of Dietary Supplements in Cancer: A Single-Institution Study
Kamian, S., & Mafi, A. R. (2019) · Reports of Radiotherapy and Oncology · doi:10.5812/rro.79566 · Cited by 1
Plant Kingdom as Source of Vitamins
Rivière, C., & Hennebelle, T. (2020) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-13-1745-3_27-1 · Cited by 1
ACE as antioxidant: its role in preventing diseases and promoting health
Arzoo, S., Badr, N.-A.-A., & Nouri, D. A. (2015) · International Journal of Biosciences (IJB)
Vitamin Toxicities and Therapeutic Monitoring
Marx, T. K., & Pizzorno, J. E. (2020) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-43044-9.00127-8
Mammakarzinom – komplementäre Praxis
Wey, S. (2017) · Erfahrungsheilkunde · doi:10.1055/s-0043-119017
Effects of High Doses of Vitamin C on Cancer Patients in Singapore
Chong, G. S. L., Fong, Y., Ling, C. S., & Meng, K. (2016)
The Experimenters' Regress, A Conceptual and Historical Evaluation.
Zuppone, R. (2018) · LA Referencia (Red Federada de Repositorios Institucionales de Publicaciones Científicas) · doi:10.5281/zenodo.4493164
Hack, C. C., Antoniadis, S., Beckmann, M. W., Brandl, A. L., Fasching, P. A., Hackl, J., Langemann, H., Katja, S., Weber, N., & Theuser, A. (2019) · Senologie - Zeitschrift für Mammadiagnostik und -therapie · doi:10.1055/a-0894-7181
Plant Kingdom as Source of Vitamins
Rivière, C., & Hennebelle, T. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-981-15-4148-3_27
Vitamin C for the Treatment of Depression in Cancer Patients: A Literature Review
Kerner, J. A., & Eckstrand, E. (2022) · Undergraduate Research in Natural and Clinical Science and Technology (URNCST) Journal · doi:10.26685/urncst.352
Сок цитрона — уникальный источник ценных витаминов и минеральных веществ
Татьяна, Е. (2023) · Журнал здорового питания и диетологии · doi:10.59316/.vi23.217
Сок шелковицы — уникальный напиток здоровья, созданный природой
Наталья, Т., & Татьяна, Е. (2023) · Журнал здорового питания и диетологии · doi:10.59316/j.edaplus.2023.24.9
Jung, Y., Kim, J., Park, K.-D., Oh, Y., Jeong, B.-J., & Bang, S.-H. (2023) · The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine · doi:10.22246/jikm.2023.44.3.562
Vitamin C in integrative oncology
Kechagioglou, P., Metri, N. A., & Paller, C. J. (2026) · Elsevier eBooks · doi:10.1016/b978-0-443-30194-0.00032-1
Leelasawatsuk, P., Supanimitjaroenporn, P., Rodsom, N., Wongkittithaworn, T., & Tangthongkum, M. (2026) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0346818
An integrative naturopathic oncology approach in metastatic malignant melanoma: two case reports
Izadi‐Najafabadi, S., Moffatt, S., Neufeld, M., & Parmar, G. (2026) · Frontiers in Oncology · doi:10.3389/fonc.2026.1867929
Boretti, A. A. (2026) · Bioorganic Chemistry · doi:10.1016/j.bioorg.2026.110290 · Cited by 1
H, A. S., Nixon, S., Ananda, H., Nune, M., & Rao, V. K. (2026) · Clinical Epigenetics · doi:10.1186/s13148-026-02211-z
The impact of perioperative vitamin C on postoperative pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Xiong, J., Yang, Y., Zhang, Q., Wu, K., Gong, Y., & Luo, J. (2026) · Journal of Clinical Anesthesia · doi:10.1016/j.jclinane.2026.112309
Saborio, K., & Sandoval, J. L. F. (2026) · Cureus · doi:10.7759/cureus.117796
Metadata
- Authors
- Fritz, H., Flower, G., Weeks, L., Cooley, K., Callachan, M., McGowan, J., Skidmore, B., Kirchner, L., & Seely, D.
- Affiliations
- Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CA)
- Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
- Carp Ridge Natural Health Clinic, Carp, Ontario, Canada
- Venue
- Integrative Cancer Therapies
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2014-05-26
- Volume
- 13
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 280-300
- ISSN
- 1534-7354 (ISSN-L)
- 1552-695X
- OpenAlex
- W2100763849
- Cited by
- 124
- References
- 111
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 12 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 8.07
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- gold
- doi.org
- Locations
- Integrative Cancer Therapies (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Biochemistry (medical) › Antioxidant Activity and Oxidative Stress
- Keywords
- intravenous vitamin C, vitamin C, cancer therapy, adjunctive therapy, integrative oncology, naturopathy, chemotherapy toxicity, tumor regression, quality of life, safety profile, anticancer activity
- MeSH terms
- Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols, Ascorbic Acid, Humans, Infusions, Intravenous, Neoplasms, Quality of Life, Survival Rate
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
