Double Survival in Pancreatic Cancer: High-Dose IV Vitamin C Breakthrough in New Randomized Trial
We reconnect with Dr. Joseph Cullen, a distinguished Professor of Surgery at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, to discuss his seminal research newly published in Redox Biology. This pivotal randomized phase II clinical trial investigates the combination of high-dose intravenous vitamin C (IVC) with standard chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer patients.
Patients who received IVC alongside chemotherapy experienced double the progression-free survival and double the overall survival compared to those who did not receive IVC. This important study not only confirms the promise shown in previous trials but significantly strengthens the evidence supporting IVC's role as a game-changing adjunctive treatment in cancer care.
Dr. Cullen, who has led extensive clinical investigations including trials on glioblastoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and colorectal cancer, has observed consistent life-extending benefits across cancer types with the integration of IVC. These consistent outcomes underscore the transformative potential of high-dose vitamin C in enhancing the efficacy of conventional cancer therapies.
With over 162 peer-reviewed papers and 32 book chapters to his name, Dr. Cullen's expertise continues to shape the future of oncology. His ongoing research at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine is advancing the understanding of how pharmacological ascorbate manipulates redox metabolism, paving the way for innovative and more effective cancer treatments.
Tune in to learn how this groundbreaking trial is reshaping the narrative around cancer treatment and why Dr. Cullen's work holds profound implications for patients and the medical community alike.
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00:00:00 Intro
00:02:23 Dr. Cullen provides research results: doubling of progression-free survival and overall survival for pancreatic cancer patients
00:06:32 Marybeth highlights key learnings
00:08:38 Consistency of results with prior clinical trials
00:11:37 Different chemotherapies Dr. Cullen has tested with IVC across different clinical trials
00:13:37 Similar results have also been seen with other cancer types: glioblastoma, non-small cell lung, colorectal
00:14:55 Moving to a phase III clinical trial — funding needs to make it accessible to all patients as part of standard of care
00:18:05 How and where to get access to IVC today
00:19:10 Dosing levels used in the research
00:19:45 Why and how IVC works (mechanism of action) and confidence in safety across different chemotherapies
00:23:07 Marybeth asks if Dr. Cullen would give it to his mother
00:24:26 Closing words from Dr. Cullen
00:26:19 Wrap-up, resource information, important disclosure information reminding patients to speak to their own doctors about their care
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Kellie L. Bodeker, Brian J. Smith, Daniel J. Berg, Chandrikha Chandrasekharan, Saima Sharif, Naomi Fei, Sandy Vollstedt, Heather Brown, Meghan Chandler, Amanda Lorack, Stacy McMichael, Jared Wulfekuhle, Brett A. Wagner, Garry R. Buettner, Bryan G. Allen, Joseph M. Caster, Barbara Dion, Mandana Kamgar, John M. Buatti, Joseph J. Cullen,
A randomized trial of pharmacological ascorbate, gemcitabine, and nab-paclitaxel for metastatic pancreatic cancer,
Redox Biology, Volume 77, 2024, 103375, ISSN 2213-2317, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.redox.2024.103375.
O'Leary, Brianne R et al. “Pharmacological Ascorbate Enhances Chemotherapies in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.” Pancreas vol. 51,6 (2022): 684-693. doi:10.1097/MPA.0000000000002086
Chen GY, O'Leary BR, Du J, Carroll RS, Steers GJ, Buettner GR, Cullen JJ. Pharmacologic Ascorbate Radiosensitizes Pancreatic Cancer but Radioprotects Normal Tissue: The Role of Oxidative Stress-Induced Lipid Peroxidation. Antioxidants (Basel). 2024 Mar 18;13(3):361. doi: 10.3390/antiox13030361. PMID: 38539894; PMCID: PMC10967795.
Du J, Cieslak JA 3rd, Welsh JL, Sibenaller ZA, Allen BG, Wagner BA, Kalen AL, Doskey CM, Strother RK, Button AM, Mott SL, Smith B, Tsai S, Mezhir J, Goswami PC, Spitz DR, Buettner GR, Cullen JJ. Pharmacological Ascorbate Radiosensitizes Pancreatic Cancer. Cancer Res. 2015 Aug 15;75(16):3314-26. doi: 10.1158/0008-5472.CAN-14-1707. Epub 2015 Jun 16. PMID: 26081808; PMCID: PMC4537815.
Du, Juan & Pope, Amanda & O'Leary, Brianne & Wagner, Brett & Goswami, Prabhat & Buettner, Garry & Cullen, Joseph. (2022). The role of mitochondria in pharmacological ascorbate-induced toxicity. Scientific Reports. 12. 22521. 10.1038/s41598-022-27185-9.
Wilkes, Justin & Allen, Bryan & Berg, Daniel & Wagner, Brett & Du, Juan & Bodeker, Kellie & Ahmann, Logan & Vollstedt, Sandy & Brown, Heather & Alexander, Matthew & Cullen, Joseph. (2016). Preliminary Results of a Phase I Study of Pharmacological Ascorbate (P-AscH–) with Gemcitabine Chemoradiotherapy in Pancreatic Cancer. Free Radical Biology and Medicine. 100. S132. 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2016.10.347.
Du, Juan & Wagner, Brett & Buettner, Garry & Cullen, Joseph. (2015). The Role of Labile Iron in the Toxicity of Pharmacological Ascorbate. Free radical biology & medicine. 84. 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2015.03.033.
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For a complete list of clinical trials associated with ascorbate (vitamin C) visit www.clinicaltrials.gov .
— ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03541486
— Sponsor Joseph J. Cullen, MD, FACS, University of Iowa
— Recruiting starting 2025
“A Phase 2 Study Adding Ascorbate to Chemotherapy and Radiation Therapy for NSCLC (XACT-LUNG)”
— ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02905591
— Sponsor Joseph J. Cullen, MD, FACS, University of Iowa
“High Dose Ascorbic Acid for Plasma Cell Disorders”
— ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03602235
— Sponsor Christopher Strouse, University of Iowa
— ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT04150042
— Sponsor General Oncology, Inc.
“Phase II Study of PARP Inhibitor Olaparib and IV Ascorbate in Castration Resistant Prostate Cancer”
— ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT05501548
— Sponsor Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins
— ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03418038
— Sponsor Mayo Clinic
— ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT06336902
— Sponsor University of Southern California
— Recruiting starting 2024
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