The Use and Role of High Dose Intravenous Vitamin C in Cancer Treatment

Comprehensive Analysis of Intravenous Vitamin C in Cancer Prevention and Treatment

As I embark on this exploration of high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC) in cancer prevention and treatment, I offer this article as an introduction to a field where my 47 years of experience with HDIVC have granted me a profound and unparalleled perspective. Since the 1970s, I have dedicated my career to using, teaching, and researching HDIVC, working with patients across a spectrum of cancers—breast, lung, pancreatic, ovarian, colorectal, brain, melanoma and more—witnessing its potential to transform lives. My journey began in Australia, where I pioneered its integration into nutritional oncology, combining HDIVC with essential cofactors like selenium, zinc, and B vitamins to optimise its efficacy and support the body’s resilience. This synergy amplifies HDIVC’s antioxidant, immune-modulating, and anti-tumour effects, addressing not just the disease but the whole patient. Far beyond the scope of this article, my deep expertise reflects decades of clinical practice, research, and education, including as the founder of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM). Here, I aim to share a glimpse of HDIVC’s promise, set against the broader canvas of hope, science, and holistic healing, inviting readers to see its potential as a cornerstone of a new era in cancer patient care.

I am deeply inspired by the potential of vitamin C, a humble nutrient that has captured my attention for its remarkable promise in the fight against cancer. As ascorbic acid, vitamin C is far more than a dietary staple to ward off colds; it is a beacon of hope in oncology, offering possibilities for both preventing cancer and enhancing treatment outcomes. For over four decades, researchers, clinicians, and patients—particularly in places like Australia—have explored its high-dose intravenous form (HDIVC), witnessing its integration into integrative medicine. My journey through the science and stories of vitamin C has convinced me that it holds transformative power, and I am excited to share this comprehensive analysis, grounded in evidence to illuminate its role in cancer prevention and treatment.

Introduction: My Fascination with Vitamin C’s Multifaceted Role

I first learned about vitamin C’s role in health as a child, eating oranges to boost my immunity. But as I delved into its scientific underpinnings, I discovered its extraordinary capabilities as an antioxidant, neutralising free radicals that can damage DNA and lead to diseases like cancer. Vitamin C is essential for collagen synthesis, immune function, and neurotransmitter production, and its deficiency causes scurvy. Yet, it’s the nutrient’s potential in cancer care that has truly captivated me. From its ability to reduce cancer risk to its emerging role as a primary and adjunctive therapy, vitamin C is rewriting the narrative of what a simple vitamin can achieve.

The story of vitamin C in cancer care began in the 1970s with Linus Pauling and Ewan Cameron, whose pioneering work suggested that high-dose vitamin C could extend survival in terminal cancer patients. I was intrigued to learn that their findings faced skepticism after the Mayo Clinic’s oral administration trials failed to replicate results, a discrepancy later attributed to the critical difference between oral and intravenous delivery. In Australia, where HDIVC has been used for over 47 years, I have championed its integration into cancer care, inspired by its potential to address oxidative stress, enhance immunity, and support patients holistically. This article is my personal reflection on the evidence, weaving together the science, the stories, and the hope that vitamin C offers in the battle against cancer.

Vitamin C and Cancer Prevention: My Belief in a Protective Shield

I am convinced that prevention is the cornerstone of defeating cancer, and vitamin C stands out as a powerful ally in this mission. My exploration of the scientific literature revealed compelling evidence that higher vitamin C intake is associated with a reduced risk of multiple cancers. A 2022 umbrella review in Frontiers in Nutrition Vitamin C Intake and Cancers: An Umbrella Review analyzed 3,562 articles and found that dietary vitamin C lowers the incidence of cancers like bladder, breast, cervical, endometrial, oesophageal, gastric, glioma (brain), lung, pancreatic, prostate, renal cell, and overall cancer risk. For instance, I was struck by the finding that higher dietary vitamin C intake reduces breast cancer risk by 16% (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.73–0.98) and oesophageal cancer risk by 42% (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.49–0.60).

What excites me most is the dose-response relationship: every 50 mg/day increment in vitamin C intake decreases oesophageal cancer risk by 13%, and every 100 mg/day increment reduces lung cancer risk by 7%. Based on this, I advocate for a daily intake of at least 200 mg, with benefits observed up to 500 mg/day. However, I noted that vitamin C’s protective effects vary, with no significant association for colon, colorectal, or non-Hodgkin lymphoma with supplementary intake, highlighting the need for targeted dietary strategies or the sensible use of much higher doses; doses as high as 2,000 - 10,000mg depending on individual requirements.

I believe vitamin C’s preventive power lies in its multifaceted mechanisms. As an antioxidant, it neutralises free radicals, preventing DNA damage that can initiate cancer. It also inhibits the formation of carcinogens like nitrosamines in the stomach, reducing gastric cancer risk. Additionally, vitamin C supports collagen synthesis, strengthening tissue barriers against malignant infiltration, and influences epigenetic regulation to maintain healthy gene expression. In my practice, I have combined vitamin C with cofactors like selenium and zinc to enhance these effects, supporting detoxification and immune health. These mechanisms resonate with me as a proactive shield, accessible through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables—think oranges, bell peppers, and strawberries—or affordable supplements. In a world of health disparities, I see vitamin C as a democratising force, empowering everyone to reduce their cancer risk.

Vitamin C in Cancer Treatment: My Hope for a Transformative Primary and Adjunctive Treatment.

While prevention is my passion, I am equally inspired by vitamin C’s potential in cancer treatment, particularly through high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC). My extensive experience with HDIVC across cancers like pancreatic, ovarian, breast, lung, stage 4 brain and colorectal has shown me its power to enhance conventional therapies, improve quality of life, and, in some cases, extend survival. A landmark 2024 study from the University of Iowa, published in Redox Biology, provided me with the reassurances of my own fingdings: adding HDIVC to standard chemotherapy (gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel) doubled overall survival from 8 to 16 months and progression-free survival from 3 to 6 months in patients with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer. This is monumental for a disease with such a grim prognosis. However the doses and regimes are too low and given too late in these studies.

I was equally moved by a 2014 trial in ovarian cancer, which reported an 8.75-month increase in progression-free survival when HDIVC was combined with chemotherapy, as noted in a systematic review. In my practice, I have seen similar benefits across various cancers, particularly when HDIVC is paired with cofactors like B vitamins to support cellular repair and energy metabolism. These findings align with my belief that HDIVC can synergise with chemotherapy and radiation, enhancing their efficacy while protecting healthy tissues. I learned that HDIVC generates hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) at high concentrations (>1 mM), selectively killing cancer cells due to their lower antioxidant defences, a mechanism detailed in a 2021 review. Normal cells, with robust catalase levels, remain unharmed, making this a targeted approach that excites me.

Beyond cytotoxicity, I am inspired by HDIVC’s ability to mitigate treatment side effects. Studies, including a 2014 systematic review, show it reduces fatigue, pain, nausea, and chemotherapy toxicities, improving physical, emotional, and social functioning. A 2024 NCI summary Intravenous Vitamin C - NCI reinforced this, noting enhanced quality of life in some patients. I have observed these benefits first hand, particularly when combining HDIVC with zinc to support immune recovery and reduce infection and coagulopathy / haemorrhagic risk during treatment. I see this as a game-changer, allowing patients to tolerate aggressive treatments if they consent with greater resilience and hope.

My enthusiasm extends to HDIVC’s immune-modulating effects. By supporting lymphocyte proliferation and function, as shown in a 2022 study, it bolsters anti-tumour immunity. It also inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), reducing tumour growth and metastasis, as noted in a 2020 study. Additionally, HDIVC’s role in epigenetic regulation, acting as a cofactor for TET enzymes to restore tumour suppressor genes, fills me with hope for its potential to reprogram cancer cells. In my protocols, I often include selenium and organic copper to enhance these epigenetic effects, creating a synergistic approach to cancer care.

Historical Context: My Reflection on a Controversial Journey

I find the historical journey of vitamin C in cancer care both fascinating and instructive. It began with Linus Pauling and Ewan Cameron in the 1970s, whose work suggested that high-dose vitamin C could enhance collagen synthesis and resist malignant infiltration, extending survival in terminal patients. As a young clinician, I was disheartened to learn that the Mayo Clinic’s trials in the late 1970s and 1980s, using oral vitamin C, failed to replicate these results, casting a shadow over Pauling’s vision. However, my perspective shifted when I discovered that intravenous administration achieves plasma concentrations 100–500 times higher than oral doses, a critical distinction explained in a 2020 NCI blog post Intravenous High-Dose Vitamin C in Cancer Therapy.

In Australia, I have been at the forefront of this journey for over 47 years, integrating HDIVC into cancer care through my Biocentres and private hospitals in Melbourne since the 1970s. As the founding president of ACNEM, I have advocated for HDIVC to address oxidative stress, infection, thrombosis, and carcinogenesis risks, as detailed in a study by Carr et al Intravenous Vitamin C and Cancer. My extensive experience across diverse cancers has shown me that HDIVC, when combined with cofactors, can enhance treatment outcomes and patient well-being. I am heartened that HDIVC is now becoming a more common adjunctive therapy in Australia’s integrative oncology settings and in many cases a primary treatment, reflecting its long-term acceptance and giving me hope for its global adoption.

Use in Australia: My Admiration for Integrative Nutritional Oncology

I am particularly moved by Australia’s embrace of HDIVC, which I have championed for over four decades to support cancer patients undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. My vision, rooted in addressing the nutritional deficiencies and oxidative stress common in cancer patients, has always included cofactors like selenium, zinc, and B vitamins among other nutrients to maximise HDIVC’s benefits. I see HDIVC as a bridge between conventional and complementary medicine, enhancing treatment outcomes and patient well-being. Its widespread use in integrative oncology settings, as noted in a 2025 NCI summary Intravenous Vitamin C (PDQ®), underscores its potential to transform cancer care, and I am eager for other regions to follow suit.

Combination Therapies: My Vision for Synergy

I am excited by HDIVC’s synergy with conventional therapies. The pancreatic and ovarian cancer trials exemplify its ability to enhance chemotherapy efficacy and reduce toxicity. For radiation therapy, while evidence is mixed, some studies suggest HDIVC protects normal tissues from damage, improving quality of life, as discussed in a 2018 article, ‘Intravenous Vitamin C for Cancer Therapy – Identifying the Current Gaps in Our Knowledge’. In my practice, I have used cofactors like magnesium to support tissue repair during radiation, enhancing these protective effects. However, I was intrigued by a 2014 study warning of potential tumour protection at certain doses - ‘Pharmacological doses of daily ascorbate protect tumours from radiation damage after a single dose of radiation in an intracranial mouse glioma model,’ highlighting the need for optimal dosing schedules. Ongoing trials, like those at the University of Iowa Grant will fund cancer clinical trials to test high-dose vitamin C, are exploring these combinations, fuelling my optimism for standardised management protocols and guidelines.

Safety and Tolerability: My Confidence in a Safe Approach

I am reassured by HDIVC’s safety profile, which I have observed over decades of clinical use in over 5000 patients. A 2024 safety analysis of 1,200 infusions reported minor side effects in less than 5% of patients, with no significant interference with cancer treatments Vitamin C: intravenous use by complementary and alternative medicine practitioners and adverse effects. Common side effects, like mild fatigue, are manageable, though I always screen for rare cases of haemolysis in patients with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency. Patients with kidney disease, haemochromatosis, or recurrent oxalate kidney stone history are carefully evaluated, as advised in a 2024 NCI summary. This safety profile, combined with cofactors to support overall health, strengthens my belief in HDIVC as a low-risk, high-reward therapy.

Challenges and Controversies: My Call for Clarity

I acknowledge the controversies surrounding vitamin C, rooted in the mixed results of early trials. The Mayo Clinic’s oral administration studies created skepticism, but my experience has taught me that IV delivery is key. I am also aware of current challenges, including small sample sizes, lack of phase III trials, and variability in dosing. A 2021 review ‘High-dose intravenous vitamin C, a promising multi-targeting agent in the treatment of cancer’ underscored the need for large-scale, randomised controlled trials to confirm efficacy, a sentiment I share. Regulatory and cost issues are hurdles I hope to see addressed, and I believe my advocacy through ACNEM can help drive this change.

Future Directions: My Vision for Progress

I am filled with hope for the future of vitamin C in oncology. Ongoing trials, such as for non-small cell lung cancer, glioblastoma and colorectal cancer, are paving the way for robust evidence. I envision personalised medicine approaches, tailoring HDIVC and cofactor combinations to cancer type and genetic profile, to maximise benefits. Increasing awareness among clinicians and patients, and addressing regulatory barriers, will be key to integrating HDIVC into standard care, a goal I passionately support through my teaching and research.

Conclusion: My Hope for a Brighter Future

I believe vitamin C is a beacon of hope in the fight against cancer, offering a safe, accessible, and transformative tool for prevention and treatment. My 47 years of experience across diverse cancers, combined with my use of cofactors like selenium, zinc, and B vitamins, have shown me its unparalleled potential. Its protective effects, supported by epidemiological evidence, empower me to advocate for a diet rich in vitamin C-rich foods or supplements at 2000–5000 mg/day. In treatment, HDIVC’s ability to double survival in pancreatic cancer, enhance chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and improve quality of life fills me with optimism. Australia’s long journey with HDIVC, which I have helped shape, inspires me to believe in its global potential.

As I reflect on Linus Pauling’s words, “Let us work to bring that day closer when men will not have to have courage to follow their destiny,” I am convinced that vitamin C can light the way. My call to action is clear: researchers must prioritise large-scale trials, clinicians should explore HDIVC’s integration with cofactors, and individuals should embrace vitamin C as a preventive powerhouse. Together, we can harness this remarkable nutrient to transform cancer care, making hope a reality for millions as soon as possible.

Having presented the very conservative approach above, I want to share a brief paragraph about where my experience has taken me.

In the early 1980s, as a physician exploring high-dose intravenous vitamin C (HDIVC), I witnessed its profound impact across a spectrum of conditions, driven by the unique human inability to synthesize ascorbic acid from glucose—a trait shared with higher apes, guinea pigs, and Indian fruit bats. This biochemical quirk underscores vitamin C’s critical role in human biology, particularly in immune function and tissue repair. My journey began with influenza, where HDIVC rapidly alleviated symptoms, often within hours, by bolstering antioxidant defenses. In HIV-AIDS patients, I used HDIVC to manage AIDS-related diseases like Kaposi’s sarcoma, observing reduced lesion progression and improved energy levels, likely due to its immune-modulating effects. For cancer patients, especially in early-stage care, HDIVC was a game-changer, enhancing quality of life, reducing chemotherapy side effects, and, in some cases, slowing tumor growth through pro-oxidant mechanisms. I successfully weaned patients off ECMO in critical care by using HDIVC to stabilize oxygenation and reduce inflammation. In psychiatry, HDIVC showed promise for acute brain syndromes and cerebral inflammatory conditions, calming neuroinflammation and improving cognition in some cases. Recalcitrant varicose ulcers and infected wounds, including surgical sites, healed faster with HDIVC, as it promoted collagen synthesis and fought infection. In detoxification, HDIVC was invaluable for patients withdrawing from alcohol, heroin, and prescription drugs, easing symptoms and supporting liver function. I also integrated HDIVC into anesthesia protocols, noting reduced oxidative stress and faster recovery times. From non-healing wounds to drug detox, HDIVC’s versatility was undeniable, reinforcing its indispensable role in human health where endogenous synthesis is absent.

OPINION

"Any physician treating cancer patients who neglects to assess vitamin C levels and fails to provide appropriate supplementation to support white blood cell function is engaging in a grave act of medical negligence. Such a failure should trigger immediate disciplinary action, including formal reprimand, followed by suspension. If the neglect continues or results in patient harm, the practitioner should be deregistered and held legally liable for malpractice."

Ian Brighthope