Vitamin C as a Cancer Fighter

[SailOnSailor]

A recent media report (text and video clip) presented various opinions on the role of high-dose intravenous vitamin-C in the treatment of cancer, including lymphoma. It refers to research and clinical trials that are ongoing at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH studies will be pivotal in supporting or refuting the abundant, positive anecdotal evidence for the efficacy of the high-dose IV Vitamin C treatment. The anecdotal evidence is certainly encouraging.

You can see the report here:
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?se...eck&id=4733164

[andymiller2]

A recent media report (text and video clip) presented various opinions on the role of high-dose intravenous vitamin-C in the treatment of cancer, including lymphoma. It refers to research and clinical trials that are ongoing at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The NIH studies will be pivotal in supporting or refuting the abundant, positive anecdotal evidence for the efficacy of the high-dose IV Vitamin C treatment. The anecdotal evidence is certainly encouraging.

Hmm. The clinical trials aren't 'ongoing'. According to the article: 'Local researchers expect to soon open tests to scientifically see if vitamin C does extend lives'. In the absence of actual evidence I'll remain a sceptic.

[SailOnSailor]

Hmm. The clinical trials aren't 'ongoing'. According to the article: 'Local researchers expect to soon open tests to scientifically see if vitamin C does extend lives'. In the absence of actual evidence I'll remain a sceptic.

Yep, its a good idea to be skeptical until the results of the clinical trials are released, since only those studies will show whether the treatment has any benefit. But its noteworthy that the reason NIH is pursuing the clinical trials is that their past in vitro research (Levine et al.)established a reasonable mechanisim for how the treatment could potentially be effective. Of course the big question is whether it can be shown to be effective for humans in vivo. So let's be skeptical, but let's also be hopeful that the NIH research will add another weapon to our arsenal to fight the NHL beast.

One thing I appreciated about this report is that it includes a skeptical perspective, and not only the positive hype. Although the the patients interviewed apparently benefited from the treatment (whether its a direct result of the treatment is unknown), the report does get across the idea that the clinical trials are critical to prove or disprove its effectivess. I'm looking forward to seeing the results of those trials whenever they come out.

[ag2006]

This sounds very hopeful to me. I appreciate both sides are being represented and it sounds encouraging to me that they are doing clinical trials. It may mean that they truly have something there. Thanks for the information.

Best wishes,

Anne

[SweetTea2]

Good Ol Vitamin C? Lets hope it works, would be better than chemicals. Much easier on the body, the side effects of lots of C are diarrhea. Good info.

Thanks,
Joanna

[PacaMom]

Hi All,
Funny, when I was diagnosed in '99, the doctor I was seeing as a "gen pract" guy was a proponent of various "altie" treatments. He later got fed up with the conventional world and moved on to practice on his own (or something like that). Anywho, I asked him what he would do if he had just gotten my diagnosis and he said he would go to a clinic in Reno where they practice nutritional "correction" and administer high dosage vitamins iv, primarily Vitamin C. That was over 8 years ago. No, I am not recommending this, nor did I go to the clinic, nor have I ever taken Vitamin C IV...although I do use as a supplement. Hugs, PacaMom

[thislifeiluv]

When I read the report, I was struck by the sensational nature of the story. The headline: "SPECIAL REPORT: Cancer Free with Vitamin C" does not suggest that this will be a balanced piece of journalism to me. It is, however, a good way to grab the attention of the viewer. Thankfully, they mentioned the reluctance of mainstream cancer experts to accept this as viable treatment at this point. In the end I read this as a fluff piece to drive ratings to a local TV news broadcast rather than scientific reporting.

After viewing (and reading) the report online I was concerned by a few things.
First, why are we getting information about cancer treatment from Mark Levine, M.D., of the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases? Turns out he has done research into Vitamin C and cancer. http://www.jacn.org/cgi/content/abstract/22/1/18
In one paper it seems he and his colleagues at NIH were intent on making sure this is not taken out of context, publishing the following in 2005…
“The newest study will likely set off another round of investigations about vitamin C's cancer-fighting ability, said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society. He called the study interesting and noted that it was conducted by respected scientists. However, he said, laboratory findings are a long way from clinical practice and more study is needed."

Further, I wonder if the reporter, Anita Brikman is aware that on the 6abc website they provide the following resources at the end of her report. Looks like advertising to me.

RESOURCES:
ON THE NET: Dr. Allan Magaziner, Magaziner Center for Wellness
ON THE NET: Jefferson University Center for Integrative Medicine
TELEPHONE: IVC Infusions, Michael Ann McAllister, R.N. 610-446-5020

Apparently Dr Magaziner can cure just about anything… this is from his website. He is not a cancer researcher, he’s an Osteopath with a wellness center named after himself.
According to his website:

Conditions successfully treated at the Magaziner Center include:
Adrenal Dysfunction, Allergies, Alzheimer's Disease, Anxiety, Arthritis, Asthma, Attention Deficit Disorder, Autism, Cancer, Prostate Disorders, Colitis, Elevated Cholesterol, Depression, Diabetes, Macular Degeneration, Candidiasis, Chronic Vaginitis, Menopausal Syndrome, Metal Toxicity, Multiple Sclerosis, Premenstrual Syndrome, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Obesity, Osteoporosis, Stroke, Chronic Fatigue,
Fibromyalgia, Chronic Headaches, Heart Disease, Hypertension, Immune Dysfunction, Chronic Infections


I didn’t find anything significant in the site search of the Jefferson University Center for Integrative Medicine and I wasn’t interested in making the call to the phone number provided for IVC Infusions.

We must remain diligent and careful. I truly hope that he efficacy of Vitamin C is studied and that this turns out to be safe and viable. Until then though, I’d have to follow the money trail and be very wary of stories like this.

[SailOnSailor]

Hi folks,

The Levine et al. research is indeed well respected and has thankfully put the high-dose IV V-C treatment under the unbiased scrutiny of proper science, where it should be. The popular media commonly sensationalizes "new cancer treatments" of all types, and in that regard this report is not unique. For us its important to look past the hype and consider the underlying science.

The preliminary NIH research that has led to their undertaking clinical trials is positive and encouraging, which is consistent with anecdotal reports. Let's be pleased for that and look forward hopefully but guardedly that the trials can demonstrate true efficacy.

[JeanneK]

"Heaven knows we could sure benefit..."

"We" being who, SailOnSailor, who showed up here only to make this one post?

You go, ghio.

Jeanne

[SailOnSailor]

Its my first post, but please don't view it in a suspicious way. Although I haven't posted before, I was motivated to share an encouraging report about a potential NHL treatment. By "we", I had in mind the broader community of people with NHL, not just the active posters on this forum, but I understand your response.

I'll introduce myself to the forum readers and posters. I'm a 48 year old male, married and father of a wonderful 3-year old. I was diagnosed with stage I follicular NHL in the spring of 2004, just several months after our daughter was born. I received local radiotherapy but "relapsed" to Stage IV soon thereafter. I'm living with the beast under watchful waiting, and anticipating treatment in the near future. When I do start treatment, I'm sure I will be very grateful for the support and insights from members of this forum. I hope contribute support in return, including useful information, and my own insights and perspectives.

I chose the name "SailOnSailor" from the Beach Boys song. Because sometimes with NHL I feel like I can relate to some of the lyrics in that song.