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The Dr. Ewan Cameron Vitamin C Treatment Protocol for Cancer |
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Cameron Protocol |
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by Ewan Cameron, MD,
FRCS, Medical Director, Linus Pauling Institute of Science and Medicine.
Formerly Chief of Surgery, Vale of Reprinted with permission
of the Linus Pauling Institute, (Note: Within this paper,
Dr. Cameron cited 38 references, and recommended 11 additional sources. The
complete bibliography is posted at http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_cameron.html ) Important Note: This
paper is designed specifically for, and addressed specifically to, licensed
medical physicians. MEDICO-LEGAL
PRECAUTIONS More than one thousand
(as of 1986) cancer patients have been treated by supplemental ascorbate
(vitamin C) in a few canters in TREATMENT RATIONALE The reasons for the
expectation that supplemental ascorbate should be of some benefit to all
cancer patients have been given in detail elsewhere. To summarize, it has
been known for many years that cancer patients have depressed circulating,
cellular, and tissue ascorbate reserves, and ascorbate (vitamin C) is
involved in many aspects of host resistance to cancer. Moreover, ascorbate
administered in pharmacological doses enhances many parameters of the immune
response to levels far above the somewhat arbitrary "normal" range,
including cell-mediated immunity and the endogenous production of interferon.
There is also some laboratory evidence behind the strong clinical impression
that in certain situations attainable concentrations of ascorbate may have a
selective cytotoxic effect on malignant cells while being harmless to normal
cells, resulting in cancer regression in rare instances. THE CONTROVERSY Despite the above, it is
understandably difficult to believe that a simple cheap and safe substance
such as vitamin C could have any possible value against such a bafflingly
complex disease as cancer. Such reasonable skepticism was seemingly confirmed
by the publication of two negative trials carried out by respected
investigators at the Mayo Clinic. However, careful reading of these two
papers shows that these much publicized results were far from conclusive.
Both trials relied upon oral medication only, and in the form of 20
ascorbate capsules to be swallowed per day, compared to controls swallowing
20 capsules of an easily recognized placebo. In the first trial 127
far-advanced patients suffering from miscellaneous cancers were studied,
almost all of whom had already been unsuccessfully treated by chemotherapy or
radiation therapy and often both. Such immune-compromised patients would be
the least likely to derive any benefit from vitamin C. Furthermore no checks
were carried out to ensure that controls were not self-medicating with this
freely available substance. The second trial was even
more inconclusive. Ascorbate or placebo was administered to 100 patients with
inoperable colon cancer, abruptly discontinued when tumor progression was
detected at a median time of 10 weeks, then replaced in the majority by
chemotherapy. From the published data in the second paper it is clear that
the few controls tested were also self-medicating with vitamin C. Thus
the ascorbate treatment of cancers remains unproven and experimental, but by
no means disproved. TREATMENT CHOICE Cancer treatment must
never be regarded as an alternative to proven conventional methods of cancer treatment,
but instead as a supportive measure employed alongside whatever standard
method is indicated. There is some evidence of synergism. Thus ascorbate has
long been known to promote healing, and should accelerate convalescence from
major cancer surgery. Ascorbic acid and its metabolite dehydroascorbic acid
radiosensitize hypoxic tumor cells with the potential to enhance the
therapeutic effects of radiation. Ascorbate enhances the chemotherapeutic
activity of some chemotherapeutic drugs, including adriamycin, while there is
considerable anecdotal evidence that ascorbate diminishes to a certain extent
the unpleasant side-effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy without apparently
interfering with the effectiveness of such drugs, although the latter point
has not been completely investigated. BASELINE WORKUP As with any cancer
treatment, it is important to establish certain baseline data before
commencing treatment, in order to monitor future therapeutic response. Such
baseline data will naturally vary depending on the type and extent of the
particular cancer being treated but will include patient's weight,
performance on the Karnovsky scale, full hematological profile, SMAC-16
biochemical profile, measurement of serum tumor marking proteins if present,
and clinical and radiological (including CAT-scan and NMR imaging if
appropriate) measurement of the extent of tumor load. PRINCIPLE OF TREATMENT Clinical experience
indicates that the best responses are obtained if one can maintain a
continuous high plasma ascorbate level. Ascorbate, however administered, is
rapidly excreted in the urine, so that administration should be continuous or
at very frequent intervals. Furthermore, exposure to high circulating levels
of ascorbate induces over-activity of certain hepatic enzymes concerned with
its degradation and metabolism. These enzymes persist for some time after
sudden cessation of high intakes, resulting in depletion of circulating
levels of ascorbate to well below normal unsupplemented values. This is known
as the rebound effect. It causes a sharp decrease in immunocompetence and
must be avoided in the cancer patient. Clinical experience has shown that the
best responses are observed when vitamin C is administered intravenously, so
insuring a high plasma level. However, because long-term continuous
intravenous administration is impractical, we recommend an initial
intravenous course of ten days duration, followed by continuous maintenance
oral regimen. If the patient's condition deteriorates, further intravenous
"booster" courses are recommended. INTRAVENOUS VITAMIN C Vitamin C intravenously
can be given by intermittent injection, but this is not recommended,
particularly if the intervals between injections extend to several days.
Because of the rebound effect, such administration would produce a sawtooth
plasma ascorbate profile with abnormally low levels in the troughs just prior
to the next injection. We recommend continuous administration via slow drip
infusion. It is recommended that
the patient be hospitalized for initial evaluation and commencing the
intravenous regimen. Intravenous vitamin C can cause troublesome chemical
phlebitis if injected directly into a superficial vein. Fo0r this reason it
is recommended that infusion be given via a C.V.P. (Central Venous Pressure,
or similar) line, with routine A-P portable chest X-ray taken after placement
to ensure that the catheter tip is correctly positioned in the Superior Vena
Cava. Alternately a "Hep-Lock" (or similar) cannula may be used in
a forearm vein with appropriate precautions against clotting. (Additional information on intravenous vitamin C
administration is found in the
Riordan Intravenous Vitmain C Protocol); in Dr. Robert F. Cathcart's paper Preparation of Sodium Ascorbate for IV and IM Use posted at http://www.doctoryourself.com/vitciv.html ; and in Clinical Guide to the Use of Vitamin C, by Lendon
Smith, MD. The full text of Dr. Smith’s book is posted at http://www.seanet.com/~alexs/ascorbate/198x/smith-lh-clinical_guide_1988.htm
. These sources discuss details including needle gauges
and buffers, among other topics.) The recommended
"carrier solution" is Ringer's Lactate Solution, readily available
in liter packs or flasks, and infused at the steady rate of 2 liters (two
packs) every 24 hours. Isotonic Dextrose should never be used as the
carrier solution. Vitamin C for parenteral use comes in sterile ampules of
sodium ascorbate preferably without preservative. Standard ampules contain
0.5g (500 milligrams), or as "multiuse" 50 ml ampules containing 25
grams. The ampules should be added to the infusion packs under full sterile
conditions in the Hospital Pharmacy or Infusion Fluids Department. In patients not
previously exposed to high levels of ascorbate, a gradual "wind-up"
dose regimen is recommended, along the following lines: Day One to the first
flask add 0.5g sodium ascorbate to the second 1.0g sodium
ascorbate to the third 1.5g sodium
ascorbate to the fourth 2.0g sodium
ascorbate Day Two to the fifth
flask add 2.5g sodium ascorbate (continuing at that level
infuses 10g sodium ascorbate per day) Much higher doses can be
and have been infused with perfect safety, the limiting factor being sodium
overload with water retention, and not the ascorbate ion itself. The wind-up
dosage schedule is not necessary in patients receiving "booster"
repeat courses. PRECAUTIONS: Standard
continuous infusion procedure must be followed. It is not necessary to
monitor serum electrolyte levels except in patients with gross cardiac or
renal impairment. SIDE-EFFECTS There are
two recognized side-effects, one very common and relatively harmless, the
other very rare and highly dangerous. The common side-effect is transient
fluid retention due to sodium overload resulting in some ankle edema in the
ambulant and sacral pad edema in those confined to bed. Inpatients with
cardiac impairment dangerous pulmonary edema may develop and require
intravenous frusemide for its control. The rare side-effect,
seen only in patients with highly anaplastic very rapidly growing tumors and
a heavy tumor load, is the sudden precipitation of widespread tumor necrosis.
Clinically this is heralded by sudden pain in all tumor deposits, rapid
swelling of known tumors, tumor hemorrhage, both internal and external,
hyperpyrexia, severe hypotension, tachycardia and azotemia.
This very rare complication can be fatal and must be vigorously treated. If
suspected, the ascorbate infusion should be immediately stopped, and the
patient treated as for septicemic shock. The patient may require transfer to
the Intensive Care Unit for close monitoring and support by oxygen, plasma or
blood, and intravenous steroids. If resuscitation is successful, it will be
found that any residual tumor has shrunk considerably or even disappeared.
Although highly dangerous, this reaction might also be termed the best
possible response to ascorbate treatment of wide-spread cancer. ORAL VITAMIN C On the day planned to
terminate intravenous ascorbate, the patient should be commenced on oral
ascorbate at the same daily intake. The medication should be taken every six
hours (four times a day), and once commenced should never be abruptly
discontinued because of the rebound effect. The dose varies between
individuals in the 10 to 30g a day range. The aim should be to maintain
plasma ascorbate levels of at least 3mg/dl for effective therapy. Leukocyte
ascorbate concentration, a technically more difficult estimation to perform,
is of much less value in predicting response to treatment. RESPONSE TO ASCORBATE
TREATMENT As with any other form of
cancer treatment, therapeutic response will vary between individual patients,
with paradoxically the best responses seen with individuals with far advanced
disease. Therapeutic responses may be listed as follows: 1. No response detectable
(a very few) 2. Some retardation of
progressive tumor growth (very many) 3. Stasis or standstill
effect (considerable number) 4. Tumor regression (a
few) 5. Tumor necrosis (very
rare) A typical response to
ascorbate can be described as follows: An improvement in
well-being, vigor and Karnovsky performance status will be apparent in 5 to 7
days. Originally thought to be a purely subjective response, it is now
realized to be objective and due to restoration of endogenous carnitine
biosynthesis, carnitine being responsible for transporting triglycerides
across the mitochondrial membrane where they are burned for muscle energy. If painful skeletal
metastases are present, relief of bone pain will occur in about 5 to 7 days, enabling
opiates to be withdrawn without withdrawal symptoms. Skeletal or
widespread visceral metastases are associated with increased urinary
hydroxyproline (UHP) excretion reflecting collagen breakdown. Within 5
days of commencing ascorbate therapy, a sharp and sustained fall in UHP
excretion will be noted. Response to treatment
will also be reflected in a drop in the sedimentation rate and fall in the
titer of any serum tumor protein markers (CEA etc.) if present. Radiological signs of
good response include the slow conversion of osteolytic skeletal metastases
to dense osteosclerotic lesions over a period of months. In favorable cases,
resorption of malignant pleural effusions and reduction in size of pulmonary
metastases have been observed. CONTINUATION OF
TREATMENT Oral ascorbate should be
continued indefinitely and the patient carefully monitored at least every
month. The usual course of events is that the patient instead of slowly
declining will enter a plateau of comparative well-being that may continue
for many months or even years, and then enter an abrupt downhill phase with
explosive metastases. At the first suspicion of this change, a
"booster" course of intravenous ascorbate is recommended, even
though individual responses can never be predicted. Over a period of three
years, one patient with widespread leiomyosarcoma had six such booster courses
with clear benefit from each one except the last. Many other patients have
shown no benefit from even the first booster course, but it is always worth
trying. INTRACAVITARY
ASCORBATE Isotonic solutions of
sodium ascorbate (2.97g sodium ascorbate in 100 ml sterile distilled water
for injection) have been instilled in the peritoneal and pleural cavities
after paracentesis or thoraocentesis for malignant effusions. Benefit
appeared to ensue in the sense of reduction in the rate of effusion
accumulation, although without controls this impression is difficult to
prove. At least clinical experience has shown that the procedure is quite
painless and perfectly safe. KIDNEY
"DAMAGE" There is a widespread
belief in the medical profession that large intakes of vitamin C might
somehow cause kidney damage. This apparently stems from a (1954) study that
showed that in some individuals (5 percent of those tested) intakes of
vitamin C above 4 grams per day resulted in a measurable increase in urinary
oxalate levels with a theoretical risk of oxalate stone formation. Doubts
have been expressed about the specificity of the assay method used, and
studies on healthy individuals ingesting large amounts of vitamin C for years
have shown plasma and urinary oxalate levels well within normal range. No
instance of this complication has been encountered in over 100 cancer
patients under the author's care, or in many other patients ingesting
multigram amounts of ascorbate for many years. The risk of stone formation,
if it exists at all, must be extremely remote, and more than offset by the
potential benefit to the cancer patient. (Additional information refuting
alleged vitamin-caused kidney stones is found in The Vitamin C Connection,
by Emanuel Cheraskin, MD, et al, and How to Live Longer and Feel Better,
by Linus Pauling, PhD.) (Note: Within this paper, Dr. Cameron
cited 38 references, and recommended 11 additional sources. The complete
bibliography is posted at http://www.doctoryourself.com/biblio_cameron.html) Andrew Saul is the author of the books FIRE
YOUR DOCTOR! How to be Independently Healthy (reader reviews at
http://www.doctoryourself.com/review.html
) and DOCTOR YOURSELF: Natural Healing that Works. (reviewed at http://www.doctoryourself.com/saulbooks.html
) |
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AN IMPORTANT NOTE: This page is not in any way offered as prescription, diagnosis nor treatment for any disease, illness, infirmity or physical condition. Any form of self-treatment or alternative health program necessarily must involve an individual's acceptance of some risk, and no one should assume otherwise. Persons needing medical care should obtain it from a physician. Consult your doctor before making any health decision. Neither the author nor the webmaster has authorized the use of their names or the use of any material contained within in connection with the sale, promotion or advertising of any product or apparatus. Single-copy reproduction for individual, non-commercial use is permitted providing no alterations of content are made, and credit is given. |
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