L-Ascorbic acid effectively targets cancer stem cells

Researchers measured the effects of three natural substances, three experimental drugs and one clinical drug on the metabolism of cancer stem cells.

According to scientists in Salford, England, vitamin C is 10 times more effective than drugs such as 2-DG in preventing the growth of cancer cells.

This study, published in oncotarget, is the first to prove that vitamin C, aka L-Ascorbic acid can be used to target and kill cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are the main culprits of fatal tumors.

Dr. Michael P. lisanti, Professor of translational medicine at Salford University, said: "we have been studying how to target cancer stem cells with a series of natural substances, including silymarin (silymarin) and Cape (a bee derivative), but the most exciting result so far is the result of vitamin C."

"L-Ascorbic acid is cheap, natural, non-toxic and easy to obtain, so it will be an important step to use it as a potential weapon against cancer."

Cancer stem cells are considered to be the root cause of chemotherapy resistance, leading to treatment failure in patients with advanced diseases and triggering tumor recurrence and metastasis (regeneration).

The research team at the University of Salford began to evaluate the bioenergetics of cancer stem cells - a process that allows cells to survive and thrive - with a view to disrupting their metabolism.

Focusing on energy transfer, they measured the effects of seven substances on laboratory cell lines, the clinically approved drug stepento, three natural products - caffeic acid phenyl ester (CAPE), silybin and L-Ascorbic acid, and experimental drugs such as actinin, fk866 and 2-dg.

Although they found that the natural antibiotic actinin and the compound fk866 were the most effective, the natural products also inhibited the formation of CSCs, of which vitamin C was ten times more potent than 2-dg.

In the research of Linus Pauling, the Nobel laureate, L-Ascorbic acid has been proved to be a non-toxic anticancer agent. Recently, in Japan, vitamin C can reduce the mortality rate of breast cancer patients by 25%. However, its effect on CSC activity has not been evaluated before. In this case, it acts as an inhibitor of glycolysis, which provides fuel for the energy production of mitochondria, the "power source" of cells.

Dr Gloria bonucelli, another member of Salford's research team and lead author, added: "this further proves that L-Ascorbic acid and other non-toxic compounds may play a role in fighting cancer."

"Our results show that it is a promising clinical trial drug, which can be used as a supplement to more traditional therapies to prevent tumor recurrence, further disease progression and metastasis."

L-Ascorbic acid is a natural water-soluble vitamin (vitamin C). L-Ascorbic acid is an effective reducing agent and antioxidant. It plays a role in fighting bacterial infection, detoxification, and the formation of collagen in fibrous tissue, teeth, bone, connective tissue, skin and capillaries. Vitamin C exists in citrus and other fruits and vegetables. Human beings cannot produce or store vitamin C and must obtain it from the diet.

Article source: https://article-realm.com/article/Sports-Recreation/28744-L-Ascorbic-acid-effectively-targets-cancer-stem-cells.html