Ascorbic acid as a thiolprive: ability to induce immunity against some cancers in mice.

Immunological studies are reported showing that ascorbic acid, like selected sulfhydryl inhibitors, can induce immunity against some cancers in mice. Accompanying this immunizing action are changes in the surface structure of the cancer cells, as revealed by scanning electron microscopy. Electron spin resonance measurements show that the ascorbate anion free radical is readily produced in oxygenated cancer tissue and that this radical can react with sulfhydryl groups which are free radical scavengers. It is proposed that ascorbate acts as an effective thiolprive in oxygenated cancer tissues. This action is thought to lead to the observed changes in the cancer cell surface structure and to the concomitant immunological response.