High-concentration vitamin C infusion therapy
What is the effect of high-concentration vitamin C?
High-concentration vitamin C infusion therapy is, as the name suggests, a treatment that aims to achieve various effects from within the body by administering high-concentration vitamin C intravenously.
The effects of high-concentration vitamin C
When vitamin C is present in an environment with iron ions, such as in blood, and at a certain concentration or above, it generates hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species. Normal cells have an enzyme called catalase, which neutralizes hydrogen peroxide and is therefore not harmed, but many cancer cells lack catalase, causing them to be damaged by the reactive oxygen species and die.
Vitamin C also works to normalize and activate the function of mitochondria, the organelles within cells that produce most of the energy used by cells, which has been shown to have various anti-cancer effects, such as activating the immune system.
Based on these findings, vitamin C at a certain concentration or higher is expected to have two functions: to directly kill cancer cells and to support the immune system in fighting cancer.
Effectiveness proven through scientific and medical research
It wasn't until the 21st century that the effects of high concentrations of vitamin C began to attract attention.
In 2005, researchers from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Center (NCI), and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States published a basic research paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showing that high-concentration vitamin C intravenous therapy may be effective against cancer. This caused high-concentration vitamin C intravenous therapy to suddenly attract attention.
Then in 2006, researchers from the NIH, NCI, and several universities published a paper using the NIH's case report standards on three cases (kidney cancer, bladder cancer, and malignant lymphoma) in which high-concentration vitamin C infusion therapy was clearly effective.
Since then, many research results have been accumulated and clinical results have been confirmed, and now many doctors, especially in the United States and Canada where the therapy originated, are administering high-concentration vitamin C intravenous therapy to cancer patients.
How to use high-concentration Vitan C infusion therapy
High-concentration Vitan C infusion therapy can be used in a variety of ways.
For example, it may be used to support standard treatments such as chemotherapy with anti-cancer drugs, or in combination with anti-cancer drugs to reduce the side effects.It may also be used as an alternative medicine for patients who are unable to cure cancer with standard treatments or who refuse standard treatments.
High-concentration Vitan C infusion therapy alone can be expected to have an anti-cancer effect, but when combined with chemotherapy or radiation therapy, or even with immunostimulants, it may be more effective. Our clinic also handles these combined therapies.
Vitamin C drips used at our hospital
We are particular about the Vitamin C we use, and use a preservative-free, ultra-high concentration Vitamin C formulation manufactured by Mylan and Biological Therapies.
Treatment overview
This treatment is an elective medical treatment.
High-concentration vitamin C infusion therapy
At our clinic, we start with 15g of vitamin C intravenously and then increase the amount to 25g and 50g.
The blood vitamin C concentration is measured to determine the appropriate amount of vitamin C to administer.
Treatment period and number of times
The most common pattern for cancer patients is two intravenous infusions per week for six months.
If the condition progresses smoothly, the administration interval will be extended while monitoring the patient's condition.
Cost (free medical treatment)
11,000 yen (tax included) to 22,000 yen (tax included) per session
Risks and side effects
In clinical trials in the United States, one case of tumor bleeding on the first day of infusion was reported. It is also known that excessive intake of vitamin C can lead to ureteral stones, but high-concentration vitamin C infusion therapy rarely worsens ureteral stones. Patients with renal failure undergoing dialysis and those with G6PD deficiency*, a genetic deficiency of an enzyme in the red blood cell membrane, are at risk of worsening their condition and cannot receive high-concentration vitamin C infusion therapy. At our hospital, we perform screening tests for G6PD deficiency* before treatment.
*About G6PD deficiency
"G6PD" stands for "glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase," an enzyme that is extremely important for maintaining red blood cell function in the blood. When there is little or insufficient G6PD, it is called "G6PD deficiency." G6PD deficiency has little impact on daily life, but when vitamin C enters the bloodstream of a G6PD-deficient person, hydrogen peroxide is produced, which destroys the membranes of red blood cells and causes hemolysis (hemolytic attack). For this reason, people with G6PD deficiency cannot receive high-concentration vitamin C intravenous drips.
Regarding elective medical treatment using unapproved drugs, etc.
● Unapproved drugs, etc.
This treatment requires the use of preservative-free medications, but these are not available in Japan. The unapproved drugs used in this treatment have not yet been approved under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act. In Japan, unapproved drugs can be used at the physician's own risk.
● Acquisition route etc.
Under the doctor's responsibility Available for personal import.
● Availability of domestically approved drugs, etc.
There are no other domestically approved drugs with the same properties that can be used for this treatment.
● Information on safety in other countries
・Vitamin C manufactured by Mylan: Meets the strict standards of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) (USP: United States Pharmacopeia).
・Biological Therapies ascorbic acid Salt (Vitamin C): This product has been granted a sterile manufacturing license by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) that meets the highest standards of PIC/S (Pharmaceutical Inspection Convention and Pharmaceutical Inspection Joint Scheme) GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) (standards for manufacturing management and quality control of pharmaceuticals and quasi-drugs).