Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy (Jun 2023)

Cell signaling pathways based on vitamin C and their application in cancer therapy

  • Dianfa Fan,
  • Xiyu Liu,
  • Zhen Shen,
  • Pan Wu,
  • Liping Zhong,
  • Faquan Lin

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 162
p. 114695

Abstract

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Vitamin C, a small organic molecule, is widely found in fruits and vegetables and is an essential nutrient in the human body. Vitamin C is closely associated with some human diseases such as cancer. Many studies have shown that high doses of vitamin C have anti-tumor ability and can target tumor cells in multiple targets. This review will describe vitamin C absorption and its function in cancer treatment. We will review the cellular signaling pathways associated with vitamin C against tumors depending on the different anti-cancer mechanisms. Based on this, we will further describe some applications of the use of vitamin C for cancer treatment in preclinical and clinical trials and the possible adverse events that can occur. Finally, this review also assesses the prospective advantages of vitamin C in oncology treatment and clinical applications.

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