ascorbic acid + melphalan

High-dose ascorbic acid (HDAA) in combination with reduced-dose melphalan is an investigational therapeutic regimen developed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. This approach utilizes pharmacological concentrations of intravenous ascorbic acid, which acts as a pro-oxidant to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) through iron-mediated reactions. These ROS selectively target and induce oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis in CD138+ myeloma cells while sparing healthy cells. The regimen is employed as a conditioning treatment prior to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), allowing for a reduction in the dose of melphalan (typically to 100-140 mg/m²) to decrease systemic toxicity without compromising anti-tumor efficacy. The therapy is currently being evaluated in Phase 1 clinical trials (e.g., NCT03602235).

Other names

high-dose ascorbic acidvitamin Cascorbate