Effect of ascorbic acid on tumour growth.

The growth of tumours in guinea-pigs was observed for 20 weeks after placing them on various doses of vitamin C. Complete tumour regression occurred in 55% of those animals receiving 0-3 mg/kg/day ascorbic acid, whereas animals given 10 mg/kg/day showed tumour inhibition but no regression. In contrast, tumours in animals maintained on 1 g/kg/day ascorbic acid grew without sign of retardation. When increased amounts of ascorbic acid were restored to the diet of scorbutic tumour-bearing animals, tumours which had not regressed responded with enhanced growth. Likewise, animals previously maintained on 10 mg/kg ascorbic acid responded in turn to the additional vitamin with enhanced tumour growth. In contrast, all tumour-bearing animals maintained on 1 g/kh ascorbic acid died within 3 weeks when this dose was replaced with 0-3 mg/kg.