Written based on 19 research studies on PubMed, searched on 2026. nov. 11..
The claim
Posts online say that vitamin C (incl. high-dose) helps with multiple myeloma.
Where research stands
We found 26 published papers on vitamin C (incl. high-dose) and multiple myeloma. They were published between 1991 and 2025. 9 of them are studies in people. 4 of them compared people who got it with a group that did not. 4 were studies in animals, and 1 was only in cells in the lab. 1 paper is a review that sums up other studies.
- 9In people4 with a comparison group
- 4In animals
- 1Only 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 tested in randomised trials in people with multiple myeloma.
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
- No Effect of Vitamin C Administration on Neutrophil Recovery in Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation for Myeloma or Lymphoma: A Blinded, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.2022 · Nutrients · Randomised trial
- A randomized phase 2 trial of a preparative regimen of bortezomib, high-dose melphalan, arsenic trioxide, and ascorbic acid.2012 · Cancer · Randomised trial
- Arsenic trioxide with ascorbic acid and high-dose melphalan: results of a phase II randomized trial.2008 · Biol Blood Marrow Transplant · Randomised trial
- A phase I/II study of arsenic trioxide/bortezomib/ascorbic acid combination therapy for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.2007 · Clin Cancer Res · Randomised trial
- A Phase I study of arsenic trioxide (Trisenox), ascorbic acid, and bortezomib (Velcade) combination therapy in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.2013 · Cancer Invest · Study in people
- Bortezomib, ascorbic acid and melphalan (BAM) therapy for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: an effective and well-tolerated frontline regimen.2009 · Eur J Haematol · Study in people
- Efficacy and safety of melphalan, arsenic trioxide and ascorbic acid combination therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: a prospective, multicentre, phase II, single-arm study.2006 · Br J Haematol · Study in people
- Efficacy and safety results with the combination therapy of arsenic trioxide, dexamethasone, and ascorbic acid in multiple myeloma patients: a phase 2 trial.2006 · Med Oncol · Study in people
- A prospective, open-label safety and efficacy study of combination treatment with melphalan, arsenic trioxide, and ascorbic acid in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.2004 · Clin Lymphoma · Study in people
- Targeting the mitochondria: an exciting new approach to myeloma therapy. Commentary re: N. J. Bahlis et al., Feasibility and correlates of arsenic trioxide combined with ascorbic acid-mediated depletion of intracellular glutathione for the treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Clin. Cancer Res., 8: 3658-3668, 2002.2002 · Clin Cancer Res · Review
- Multiple Myeloma Tumor Cells are Selectively Killed by Pharmacologically-dosed Ascorbic Acid.2017 · EBioMedicine · In animals
- Delayed treatment with vitamin C and N-acetyl-L-cysteine protects Schwann cells without compromising the anti-myeloma activity of bortezomib.2011 · Int J Hematol · In animals
- Ascorbic acid inhibits antitumor activity of bortezomib in vivo.2009 · Leukemia · In animals
- Antimyeloma effects of arsenic trioxide are enhanced by melphalan, bortezomib and ascorbic acid.2007 · Br J Haematol · In animals
- Ascorbic acid enhances arsenic trioxide-induced cytotoxicity in multiple myeloma cells.2001 · Blood · In the lab
- Oxalate nephropathy from high-dose intravenous vitamin C in a patient with multiple myeloma.2025 · J Nephrol · Other paper
- Pharmacological dose ascorbic acid administration in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma patients.2021 · Leuk Res Rep · Other paper
- Efficiency and Tolerability of Induction and Consolidation Therapy with Arsenic Trioxide/Bortezomib/Ascorbic Acid/Dexamethasone (ABCD) Regimen Compared to Bortezomib/Dexamethasone (BD) Regimen in Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients.2020 · Cancer Manag Res · Other paper
- Pharmacologic Ascorbate in Myeloma Treatment: Doses Matter.2017 · EBioMedicine · Other paper
