New study shows vitamin C boosts DNA damage and cell death in melanoma cells
Source: University of South Florida, May 2024
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.
Cooke, who also leads the Oxidative Stress Group, said that there is a long-standing history of studying the impact vitamin C has on DNA and skin cells, which helped direct the path to their current study.