Vitamin C Inhibits the Growth of Colorectal Cancer Cell HCT116 and Reverses the Glucose-induced Oncogenic Effect by Downregulating the Warburg Effect

Overview

Journal Med Oncol

Publisher Springer

Specialty Oncology

Date 2023 Sep 13

PMID 37702811

Authors

Chang Yu

Su Min

Feng Lv

Li Ren

You Yang

Lihao Chen

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Malnutrition caused by insufficient nutritional supply may significantly hinder the quality of life among cancer patients. Sugar provides energy and nutritional support, but it also promotes cancer growth. Warburg effect is the reprogrammed glucose metabolic mode of cancer cells that meets the intensified ATP demand and biosynthesis. Vitamin C (VC) has anti-tumor effect. However, the relationship between cytotoxicity of VC on cancer cells and Warburg effect remains elusive, the effect of VC on glucose-induced oncogenic effect is also unclear. Based on colorectal cancer cell HCT116, our finding revealed that the discrepant oncogenic effect of different sugar is closely related to the intensification of Warburg effect, with glucose being the potent oncogenic component. Notably, as a potential Warburg effect inhibitor, VC suppressed cancer growth in a concentration-dependent manner and further reversed the glucose-induced oncogenic effect. Furthermore, VC protected tumor-bearing mice from insulin sensitivity impairment and inflammatory imbalance. These findings imply that VC might be a useful adjuvant treatment for cancer patients seeking to optimize nutritional support.

Citing Articles

Causal link between dietary antioxidant vitamins intake, oxidative stress injury biomarkers and colorectal cancer: A Mendelian randomization study.

Zhao M, Ye M, Zhao Y Medicine (Baltimore). 2025; 104(7):e41531.

PMID: 39960957 PMC: 11835131. DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000041531.

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