Clinical trial suggests vitamin C may reduce mortality in precancerous blood disorders
A phase 2 trial of 109 participants with precancerous or low-risk blood cancers found that daily vitamin C supplementation did not slow abnormal cell growth but was associated with reduced inflammation markers and fewer serious complications. During follow-up monitoring over nearly three years, participants receiving vitamin C showed fewer deaths compared to those given placebo. The results suggest vitamin C may offer protective benefits through mechanisms beyond direct suppression of cancer cell growth.
The EVITA trial enrolled participants from Denmark and the United States who had either precancerous blood conditions or early-stage blood cancers. For one year, half received 1,000 mg of daily vitamin C while the other half received an inactive placebo. The mechanism behind potential benefits involves TET enzymes, proteins that control gene activity; dysfunction in these enzymes appears associated with certain blood cancers, which is why researchers hypothesized that vitamin C—which can enhance TET activity—might offer therapeutic value.
The most intriguing observation emerged during extended monitoring. Nearly three years after the initial treatment period ended, the vitamin C group experienced roughly half the mortality rate of the placebo group. However, researchers stressed this outcome was exploratory rather than a primary study objective, and the findings did not extend to slowing abnormal cell growth itself, suggesting any protective mechanism operates through different biological pathways.
These preliminary findings could eventually influence how early blood disorder patients are managed, potentially offering a low-risk supplementary approach alongside standard care. However, broader impact depends on confirmation through larger trials, as researchers emphasized current results remain insufficient for clinical recommendations. If validated, vitamin C might represent an accessible intervention for vulnerable populations, though questions remain about optimal dosing, long-term safety, and which patient subgroups benefit most. The medical community generally awaits phase 3 data before revising treatment guidelines.