gemcitabine + ascorbic acid

Gemcitabine + ascorbic acid is an investigational combination therapy consisting of the chemotherapeutic agent gemcitabine and high-dose intravenous ascorbic acid (vitamin C). This combination has been studied primarily in advanced pancreatic cancer. Preclinical studies demonstrated that pharmacologic concentrations of ascorbate synergize with gemcitabine to enhance cytotoxicity against pancreatic tumor cells, regardless of their resistance phenotype. The mechanism involves the generation of hydrogen peroxide by high-dose ascorbate, which increases oxidative stress selectively in cancer cells and sensitizes them to the cytotoxic effects of gemcitabine[1][2][5]. Clinical trials have shown that this combination is well tolerated with minimal additional toxicity compared to standard chemotherapy alone[4][5]. Recent phase II data suggest that adding high-dose IV vitamin C to chemotherapy can double overall survival in metastatic pancreatic cancer patients compared to chemotherapy alone[6].

Other names

gemcitabine and ascorbic acidgemcitabine plus vitamin Cgemcitabine + vitamin C