Vitamin C linked to improved outcomes in people with precancerous blood disorders
Vitamin C boosts the activity of cellular proteins called TET enzymes that help control which genes are turned on or off. Because decreased function of TET enzymes is a common driver of certain forms of blood cancer, researchers tested the effects of vitamin C supplements in patients at risk of developing such malignancies.
A Phase II trial published in Cancer finds that vitamin C supplementation may improve outcomes for people with precancerous blood disorders. The EVITA trial, involving 109 patients in Denmark and the United States, found that while vitamin C did not alter malignant-cell growth, it was associated with better inflammatory signaling and fewer gastrointestinal symptoms.
More gastrointestinal issues were reported in the placebo group. Participants who took vitamin C also had an exploratory survival advantage, although this needs confirmation in a larger Phase III trial. Co-senior author Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., DSc, stated that the findings suggest vitamin C could potentially intercept leukemia development, though more work is needed.
Co-senior author Kirsten Grønbæk, MD, Ph.D., expressed cautious optimism about future research on vitamin C for early-stage blood disorders.
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