Intravenous Vitamin C

As of June 2008 her gynecologic cancer and antioxidant study is taking place only here at KUMED and there are no covered costs for the patient. Her ovarian cancer and antioxidant study is closed to enrollment with published results expected by year end. She is unable to discuss the results until the paper is officially published. Medical professionals are able to obtain the intravenous vitamin C protocol for their clinic use, but those patients are not part of our study. Our integrative medicine physicians can not assume consult responsibilities for patients being treated by other physicians. Please read on for information on how a medical professional can obtain the IV Vitamin C protocol.

Research shows that intravenous vitamin C at high doses, used in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation, kills cancer cells in the early stages of cancer. We understand now that IV C is a pro-oxidant, not an antioxidant, because it generates hydrogen peroxide in the extracellular space. H2O2 is the drug that preferentially kills cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. For those in the later stages of cancer, the intravenous vitamin C protocol may improve the quality of life. The protocol also suggests a strict diet with oral supplementation

The physicians cannot predict how different tumor types respond - it is very individual. A PET scan usually is a guidepost. If the PET is positive, the tumor usually responds to the vitamin C. If the PET is negative but there is active tumor present, the vitamin C is less effective in most cases. The intravenous vitamin C protocol is a general protocol for most cancers. Our clinic physicians believe that the therapy works in the early stages of cancer when used in conjunction with chemotherapy or radiation. They will only consult patients who are also following along with a traditional oncologist. Here at KUMED it is not intended as a stand alone treatment or as a last effort treatment for patients in the late stages of cancer.

The protocol is intended for medical professionals only. Medical professionals seeking a copy of the protocol should fax a hand signed request on their professional letterhead to 913-588-0012. We will provide the protocol via fax or e-mail if the e-mail address is provided.

Intravenous vitamin C infusions are administered at least twice a week at up to 3 ½ hours each time, the infusions may have to be continued for a year, for two years, for three years, etc. You also must be under the care of an oncologist who is on board with you getting the IV Vitamin C and we cannot provide that type of area oncologist referral service for you. Leaving your home and coming to KUMED is not recommended. We highly recommend you find an area physician to do the intravenous Vitamin C infusions.

Dr. Drisko and our other Program physicians do not treat any patient under the age of 18 with intravenous vitamin C. Since research studies have been conducted only with adults, the correct dosage for small children has not been determined.

Oral ascorbate is a vitamin and its uptake is tightly controlled and is an antioxidant. Intravenous ascorbate is a drug and plasma and tissue levels are attained many times above oral dosing, allowing the development of hydrogen peroxide, (which means it is working as a pro-oxidant not an antioxidant like the oral form). Hydrogen peroxide is the agent responsible for targeted neoplastic cell death while leaving normal cells unharmed.

A G6PD test must be done and results received before any infusions are given. Our physicians have found NO contraindications to giving intravenous vitamin C with any chemotherapy, if their protocol is followed. Additions to the protocol are not recommended. The protocol should NOT be administered in conjunction with methotrexate chemotherapy because of urine pH requirements.

G6PD deficiency is an inherited condition in which a person’s body doesn’t have enough of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) which helps red blood cells (RBCs) function normally. Patients with this deficiency should not receive vitamin C infusions because it can cause hemolytic anemia.

No. That’s a medical myth. At this time it does not appear that concurrently used intravenous vitamin C reduces the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation. In addition, intravenous vitamin C is not an antioxidant; it is a pro-oxidant and, therefore, seems to augment the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation. Dr. Drisko and our other program physicians often give it on the same day as the chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment.

This is an unlikely occurrence. Urinary oxalate (the salt of oxalic acid) can be easily monitored if the patient has a history of kidney stones.

Many doctors involved in chelation will be open to administering intravenous vitamin C, but most oncologists who administer the chemotherapy will not give the vitamin C infusions. It is better to get an "okay" from your oncologist to incorporate the intravenous vitamin C into your treatment and then find an integrative medicine physician who is willing to administer the infusions. You can find a local integrative medicine physician in your area by going to www.acam.org. They will need to submit a signed request on his/her practice letterhead and fax to 913-588-0012.

No. We recommend contacting The American College for Advancement in Medicine (ACAM) to find an integrative medicine doctor in your area. You can call their Physician Referral Hotline 1-888-439-6891 or go to their website at www.acam.org.

Because the vitamin C infusions are still in the experimental stage and not FDA approved, it may be difficult to get the oncologist to agree to the infusions. We encourage them to read the research articles included in this section of the website. We understand now that intravenous vitamin C is a pro-oxidant not an antioxidant because it generates hydrogen peroxide in the extracellular space. H2O2 is the drug that preferentially kills cancer cells while leaving normal cells unharmed. We ask patients to sign a waiver stating that their oncologist is aware of the treatment and have given their support to the infusions. Diet and supplementation also provide a large role in the treatment. Our physicians highly recommend the book Beating Cancer with Nutrition by Patrick Quillin.

Medical professionals administering intravenous vitamin C should follow the protocol. Additions, such as B vitamins, may reduce the formation of Hydrogen Peroxide, which is the chemotherapeutic agent formed by intravenous vitamin C.

Patients are started out at a low dosage and work their way up to the therapeutic level. Once at therapeutic level the infusions will take between 2 1/2 - 3 hours, depending on the patient’s individual saturation point (detailed in the protocol provided to medical professionals only). Normally the infusions should be done twice a week, but some patients may require three times a week. Our clinic physicians usually have patients get the infusions at the therapeutic level for a year and then reevaluate. If there appears to be no initial benefit, infusions may be stopped sooner.

We do not recommend stopping the intravenous vitamin C infusions unless the patient has been cancer free for at least a year. It is possible, if the patient stops the infusions but is not cancer free that the patient will develop tumor cells that are resistant to the intravenous vitamin C’s chemotherapeutic effects. Stopping the infusions for a week, perhaps for a vacation, is acceptable. But we recommend that the patient get an extra infusion the week before and the week after they return. The infusions can be continued at the same dosage.

Our clinic physicians rarely allow home infusions. It may be permitted after the patient is at the therapeutic dosage (usually at least a month or more of infusions in the infusion clinic) and when physicians are confident that the patient is capable of following the protocol after receiving instructions from the infusion nurse.

Patients outside the treatment area may need to have a medical professional write a prescription for the purchase of supplies. The medical professional would also need to monitor the patient’s care on a continual basis and keep in close contact with the individual administering the infusions. Our physicians will not write prescriptions for infusions outside of their treatment area.

No. The intravenous vitamin C is working as a chemotherapeutic agent. Just as some types of chemotherapy may not be successful, the same is true of vitamin C infusions. Also, if you are missing any components of the protocol such as diet and oral supplements, the infusions may not work.

Yes, absolutely! The oxidants from cigarette smoking or second hand smoke lower the vitamin C levels in the blood. It is extremely important that patients stop smoking or limit their exposure to second hand smoke.

In most cases, no. Alternative medicine doctors must use billing codes that are not usually accepted by insurance companies. And because vitamin C infusions are not FDA approved, insurance companies are not inclined to cover costs.

Vitamin C infusions tend to range in price from $75.00 to $200. Oncologists who administer the infusions may use conventional bill coding, which increases the chances of insurance coverage. But, if the claim is rejected, patients will find they are responsible to pay for the bill out of pocket—and the cost may be quadruple what it would be in an integrative medicine practice.

Diet plays a huge role in the protocol. The Program’s doctors use the four-point program: diet, oral supplements, intravenous vitamin C and chemotherapy or radiation. They highly recommend the book Beating Cancer with Nutrition by Patrick Quillin. Oral supplements are recommended on a case by case basis.

Absolutely! But, we suggest that they read the research articles and have the protocol in hand before setting up a time to talk.

Phone consultations are only offered to patients outside the Kansas/Missouri Area. The physicians will not answer medical condition questions without proper documentation and a scheduled phone consultation. Appropriate documentation includes recent medical records, time line of the cancer, and completion of the 20-page Sherlock Questionnaire.

Phone consultations cost $100.00/half hour. All documentation and payment arrangements must be received prior to the scheduling of the phone consult through Becky Sheppard at 913-588-6208. The clinic fax is 913-588-0012. Becky’s email is rsheppard@kumc.edu.

The patient who would be getting the intravenous vitamin C must be present on the call. Well meaning relatives or friends can also be present and we do have the capability to have a three-way call, if people are in different locations.

Phone Consults are usually booked 1-2 months out.

According to Dr. Drisko, the use of beet derived ascorbate is a medical myth in regard to it having an advantage over corn derived ascorbic acid. Bioniche is one manufacturer of ascorbic acid. It can be ordered through Merit Pharmaceuticals: Email Evon Farha at Ef@meritpharm.com). Bioniche’s ascorbic acid product has consistently been the highest grade on certificates of analysis which has been verified through independent outside lab testing.