Written from the studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11.. Every number below comes from a study listed under Sources.
The claim
Posts online say that vitamin C (incl. high-dose) helps with melanoma.
Where research stands
We found 86 published papers on vitamin C (incl. high-dose) and melanoma. They were published between 1950 and 2026. 2 of them are studies in people. None of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 32 were studies in animals, and 42 were only in cells in the lab. 3 papers are reviews that sum up other studies.
- 2In people
- 32In animals
- 42Only in the lab
What the studies found
We have not summed up these studies in words yet. The most important papers are listed under Sources.
Verdict
Vitamin C (incl. high-dose) has been studied in people with melanoma, but not in randomised trials.
What this means for you: A study in people is not proof that it helps you. Do not stop or change your medicines because of it. Ask your doctor before you start taking it.
Sources
- Phase II trial of arsenic trioxide and ascorbic acid with temozolomide in patients with metastatic melanoma with or without central nervous system metastases.2008 · Melanoma Res · Study in people
- [Results of a phase I clinical trial of "theraphthal + ascorbic acid" catalytic system].2001 · Vopr Onkol · Study in people
- Topical L-Ascorbic Acid Formulation for a Better Management of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer: Perspective for Treatment Strategies.2021 · Pharmaceutics · Review
- Vitamin C Transporters and Their Implications in Carcinogenesis.2020 · Nutrients · Review
- Molecular mechanisms of pharmacological doses of ascorbate on cancer cells.2015 · Wien Med Wochenschr · Review
- Vitamin C exerts a concentration-dependent dual effect on melanoma progression through the ERK-PTPN12-JAK2 axis.2026 · Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) · In animals
- Blue light promotes vitamin C-mediated ferroptosis of melanoma through specifically upregulating transporter SVCT2 and generating Fe2.2023 · Biomaterials · In animals
- High-Dose Ascorbate in Combination with Anti-PD1 Checkpoint Inhibition as Treatment Option for Malignant Melanoma.2023 · Cells · In animals
- Therapeutic Efficacy of Pharmacological Ascorbate on Braf Inhibitor Resistant Melanoma Cells In Vitro and In Vivo.2022 · Cells · In animals
- The anti-melanogenic effects of 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid via Nrf2-mediated α-MSH inhibition in UVA-irradiated keratinocytes and autophagy induction in melanocytes.2021 · Free Radic Biol Med · In animals
- High-Dose Vitamin C Administration Inhibits the Invasion and Proliferation of Melanoma Cells in Mice Ovary.2021 · Biol Pharm Bull · In animals
- TET2 downregulation limits oxidative stress-induced cytotoxicity of high dose ascorbate in dabrafenib-resistant melanoma cells.2026 · Cancer Drug Resist · In the lab
- The role of vitamin C in melanoma cell death via activation of cytochrome C and TNF-α protein expression.2025 · Sci Rep · In the lab
- TET2 promotes tumor antigen presentation and T cell IFN-γ, which is enhanced by vitamin C.2024 · JCI Insight · In the lab
- Cytotoxic activity of high dose ascorbic acid is enhanced by 2-deoxy-d-glucose in glycolytic melanoma cells.2021 · Biochem Biophys Res Commun · In the lab
- Association of serum vitamin D and serum vitamin C with the risk of melanoma among adults in the United States: a cross-sectional analysis of 2003-2006 and 2017-2018 NHANES data.2026 · J Clin Biochem Nutr · Other paper
- Redox modulation of oxidatively-induced DNA damage by ascorbate enhances both in vitro and ex-vivo DNA damage formation and cell death in melanoma cells.2024 · Free Radic Biol Med · Other paper
- Association between dietary vitamin C and risk of cutaneous melanoma in a population of Northern Italy.2013 · Int J Vitam Nutr Res · Other paper
- Vitamin C: attenuating effect on growth and proliferation in systemic malignancies.2013 · Exp Oncol · Other paper
