Non‐toxic potentiation of cancer chemotherapy by combined C and K3 vitamin pre‐treatment

Abstract

The influence on the survival of ascitic liver tumor (TLT)-bearing mice of combined vitamins C and K₃ administered before or after a single i.p. dose of 6 different cytotoxic drugs, all commonly used in human cancer therapy, was investigated. Combined i.p. administration of these vitamins produced a distinct chemotherapy-potentiating effect for all drugs examined, especially when injected before chemotherapy. This potentiating treatment did not increase the general and organ toxicity that accompanies cancer chemotherapy. The possible generation of peroxides followed by membrane lipid alteration, DaNase activation and DNA destruction by combined vitamin C and K₃ in catalase-deficient cancer cells might be involved in the mechanisms of this selective potentiation.