Pharmacological ascorbate combined with radiation and temozolomide in GBM

Summary:

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common brain tumor in adults. It is highly aggressive and almost uniformly fatal. Despite treatment, most patients only survive 14 to 16 months after diagnosis and the 5-year survival is less than 10%. New treatment strategies are desperately needed to extend the survival of GBM patients. Pharmacological ascorbate (high doses of vitamin C) may represent a highly innovative and easily implemented strategy. It has been found to be selectively toxic to cancer cells while being relatively benign to normal cells. Additionally, the research team has completed the phase I clinical trial and found pharmacological ascorbate to be safe and tolerated when combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy in GBM patients. This phase II study will determine if pharmacological ascorbate combined with radiation therapy and chemotherapy will increase the overall survival of newly diagnosed patients with GBM.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT042344355