Review of the Potential Role of Ascorbate in the Prevention and Treatment of Gynecological Cancers
Xiaochang Shen,
Jiandong Wang,
Boer Deng,
Ziyi Zhao,
Shuning Chen,
Weimin Kong,
Chunxiao Zhou,
Victoria Bae-Jump
Affiliations
Xiaochang Shen
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
Jiandong Wang
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
Boer Deng
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
Ziyi Zhao
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
Shuning Chen
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
Weimin Kong
Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing 100006, China
Chunxiao Zhou
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Victoria Bae-Jump
Division of Gynecologic Oncology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
Ascorbate (vitamin C) is an essential vitamin for the human body and participates in various physiological processes as an important coenzyme and antioxidant. Furthermore, the role of ascorbate in the prevention and treatment of cancer including gynecological cancer has gained much more interest recently. The bioavailability and certain biological functions of ascorbate are distinct in males versus females due to differences in lean body mass, sex hormones, and lifestyle factors. Despite epidemiological evidence that ascorbate-rich foods and ascorbate plasma concentrations are inversely related to cancer risk, ascorbate has not demonstrated a significant protective effect in patients with gynecological cancers. Adequate ascorbate intake may have the potential to reduce the risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and high-risk HPV persistence status. High-dose ascorbate exerts antitumor activity and synergizes with chemotherapeutic agents in preclinical cancer models of gynecological cancer. In this review, we provide evidence for the biological activity of ascorbate in females and discuss the potential role of ascorbate in the prevention and treatment of ovarian, endometrial, and cervical cancers.
