Ascorbic acid and cancer: a review

Cancer Res. 1979 Mar;39(3):663-81.

Abstract

Host resistance to neoplastic growth and invasiveness is recognized to be an important factor in determining the occurrence, the progress, and the eventual outcome of every cancer illness. The factors involved in host resistance are briefly reviewed, and the relationship between these factors and ascorbic acid metabolism is presented in detail. It is shown that many factors involved in host resistance to neoplasia are significantly dependent upon the availability of ascorbate.

Publication types

  • Historical Article
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Ascorbic Acid / history
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology
  • Ascorbic Acid / physiology*
  • Ascorbic Acid / therapeutic use
  • Carcinogens / metabolism
  • Collagen / metabolism
  • Extracellular Space / physiology
  • History, 18th Century
  • History, 20th Century
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronoglucosaminidase / physiology
  • Immunity*
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Neoplasms / physiopathology
  • Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Pituitary-Adrenal System / physiology
  • Scurvy / complications

Substances

  • Carcinogens
  • Collagen
  • Hyaluronoglucosaminidase
  • Ascorbic Acid