Vitamin C as a Cancer Target (From Wikipedia)

A biologist knows what a LOF mutation is and induces these to study what a gene function is. In the case of natural mutants of the VHF gene, these patients are very prone to cancer disease partially by constitutive activation of HIF. By adding elements (of which vitamin C is one), this process could be reversed:

"Treatment

Suggested targets for VHL-related cancers include targets of the HIF pathway, such as VEGF. Two inhibitors of VEGF sorafenib and sunitinib have recently been approved by the FDA [6]. The mTOR inhibitor rapamycin may also be an option [9]. Bevacizumab, a monoclonal antibody targeting VEGF, is one medication currently undergoing clinical trials

Since iron, 2-oxoglutarate and oxygen are necessary for the inactivation of HIF, it has been theorized that a lack of these cofactors could reduce the ability of hydroxlases in inactivating HIF. A recent study has shown that in cells with a high activation of HIF even in oxygenated environments was reversed by supplying the cells with ascorbate [10]. Thus, Vitamin C may be a potential treatment for HIF induced tumors." (as of 3/25/09) reference 10 being:

^ Knowles HJ, Raval RR, Harris AL, Ratcliffe, PJ. (2003). "Effect of ascorbate on the activity of hypoxia-inducible factor in cancer cells.". Cancer research 63: 1764–8.

Here is the Wikipedia link showing the value of vitamin C as a therapeutic against cancer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Hippel-Lindau_tumor_suppressor link