New study shows vitamin C boosts cell death in melanoma cells

[ofonorow]

https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/chron ... cells.aspx

A recent study shows that there may be a more effective way to treat melanoma by using ascorbate (vitamin C) to increase DNA damage in cancer cells, leading to their death, according to co-corresponding author of the study Marcus Cooke, professor and chair in the Department of Molecular Biosciences.

The multi-disciplinary research team found that melanoma cells have more DNA damage and fewer antioxidant defenses compared to normal skin cells. When treated with hydrogen peroxide and vitamin C, melanoma cells showed even more DNA damage and higher cell death rates, while normal cells were protected. Additionally, the study results found that vitamin C boosted the effectiveness of an existing melanoma drug, Elesclomol.