Changes in the rate of PSA progression and the level of alkaline phosphatase during high dose vitamin C treatment of patients with prostate cancer

Abstract

Introduction: Intravenously administered vitamin C (IVC) may have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. Many studies demonstrated evidence of a good safety profile of IVC treatments and improvement of the quality of life in cancer patients. IVC has been proposed as a treatment for cancer as an adjuvant in conjunction with other therapies. To investigate high dose ascorbic acid potential in treating prostate cancer, a retrospective study was conducted using clinical data from the Riordan Clinic database (1994-2015).

Methods: We collected data, when available, on the following patient characteristics at diagnosis and during the courses of IVC therapy: age, tumor stage, Gleason score, serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, and location of metastases. In particular, PSA, ALP, and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels are analyzed in prostate cancer patients given IVC therapy during several years. 

Results: We found that PSA, CRP, and ALP correlate with tumor staging as measured by Gleason scores. Moreover, peak plasma ascorbate levels attained during the patients first IVC infusions are reduced in patients with elevated PSA and CRP levels. Tracking the changes in PSA and ALP with time in patients for whom data are available indicates that the rate of increase in these variables over time can be reduced by incorporating IVC therapy and by increasing the frequency of IVC treatments.

Conclusion:  There appeared to be a relation between the frequency of IVC treatments and the rate of PSA change, with PSA rate of growth decreasing as the frequency of IVC increases.  Further research into the use of IVC in prostate cancer patients is warranted.

Key words: High dose vitamin C, prostate cancer, prostate specific antigen, alkaline phosphatase, C-reactive protein.