Open-access systematic review of preclinical fasting-mimicking diet studies in cancer models. It summarizes evidence that FMD can alter tumor metabolism and may enhance chemotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, or vitamin C effects in animal studies, while emphasizing that the evidence base is primarily preclinical.
High-Dose Intravenous Vitamin C (IVC)
High-Dose Intravenous Vitamin C (IVC) is a cancer-related diet or nutrition protocol discussed for nutrition status, metabolic support, inflammation, digestion, immune resilience, treatment tolerance, or alternative cancer-treatment claims. In cancer care, it should be evaluated by evidence level, intended use, safety, interactions, and whether it is being used as conventional treatment, supportive care, an experimental adjunct, or an alternative claim.
Comprehensive NCI PDQ summary covering history, mechanism, human studies, adverse effects, drug interactions, and current clinical trials. Notes FDA has not approved high-dose IV vitamin C as a cancer treatment.
NCI nutrition care source for oncology context, including the need to maintain adequate nutrition and caution around cancer diets that lack evidence.
Randomized phase 2 trial in stage IV pancreatic cancer combining 75 g pharmacologic ascorbate three times weekly with gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel; reported prolonged OS and PFS without added toxicity in a small trial.
Randomized placebo-controlled phase II trial of high-dose IV vitamin C plus docetaxel in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Did not improve PSA response, toxicity, or clinical outcomes compared with placebo.
Preclinical study on FMD plus pharmacologic vitamin C against KRAS-mutated cancers; useful because it overlaps fasting and IV vitamin C protocol trails.
Systematic review summarizing IV ascorbate cancer clinical trials through 2018; most were small, early-phase, or single-arm studies focused on safety, pharmacokinetics, and preliminary outcomes.
Preclinical/translational study suggesting pharmacologic ascorbate can radiosensitize pancreatic cancer through oxidative mechanisms.
Translational and early clinical ovarian cancer study combining high-dose parenteral ascorbate with carboplatin/paclitaxel; reported reduced chemotherapy-associated toxicity and mechanistic rationale.
Phase I monotherapy trial in advanced solid tumors refractory to standard therapy. Well tolerated; no objective antitumor responses; recommended dose 70-80 g/m2 for future studies.
Early clinical study of pharmacologic ascorbate with gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer; reported tolerability and preliminary survival/progression-free survival signals.
Small phase I trial combining IV ascorbic acid with gemcitabine and erlotinib in metastatic pancreatic cancer; reported minimal adverse effects and stable disease among evaluable participants.
Phase I trial of IV ascorbic acid in advanced malignancy; examined safety/pharmacokinetics and reported tolerability with limited anticancer efficacy evidence.
Preclinical study showing pharmacologic ascorbate decreased growth of ovarian, pancreatic, and glioblastoma xenografts and generated hydrogen peroxide selectively in tumor interstitial fluid.
Three case reports of patients receiving IV vitamin C with long survival or tumor response patterns; NCI Best Case Series-style review. Hypothesis-generating only.
Major mechanistic paper showing pharmacologic ascorbate concentrations can selectively kill cancer cells in vitro via hydrogen peroxide-related mechanisms under clinically relevant conditions.
Mayo randomized double-blind oral vitamin C trial in advanced cancer patients with no prior chemotherapy; found no therapeutic benefit versus placebo.
Double-blind controlled trial of 10 g/day oral vitamin C in advanced cancer; found no benefit in symptoms, performance status, appetite, weight, or survival.
Reevaluation of Cameron/Pauling terminal cancer cohort reporting longer survival in ascorbate-treated patients versus matched controls. Important history; limitations remain.
Early Cameron/Pauling report comparing terminal cancer patients given supplemental ascorbate with matched controls. Historically important but nonrandomized and methodologically controversial.
Evidence hub on diet, nutrition, physical activity, and cancer risk.
NCI clinical-trial listing for phase II gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel with or without pharmacologic ascorbate in metastatic pancreatic cancer; closed to accrual.
Patient-facing NCI summary explaining oral versus IV vitamin C, human-study findings, safety concerns, and FDA status.