Effect of ascorbic acid on tumour growth

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Abstract
The growth of sarcomas in guinea pigs fed various doses of vitamin C was observed for 20 wks. Complete tumor regression occurred in 55% of those animals receiving 0.3 mg/kg per day ascorbic acid, whereas animals given 10 mg/kg per day showed tumor inhibition, but no regression. Tumours in animals maintained on 1 g/kg per day ascorbic acid grew without sign of retardation. When increased amounts of ascrobic acid were restored to the diet of scorbutic tumor-bearing animals, tumors which had not regressed responded with enhanced growth. Animals previously maintained on 10 mg/kg ascorbic acid responded in turn to the additional vitamin with enhanced tumor growth. All tumor-bearing animals maintained on 1 g/kg ascorbic acid died within 3 wk when this dose was replaced with 0.3 mg/kg.