Database Query Results : Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), , Warburg

VitC, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
High-dose vitamin C: Some studies have suggested that high-dose vitamin C may be effective in treating certain types of cancer, such as ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer.
Symptoms of vitamin C deficiency include fatigue, weakness, poor wound healing, ecchymoses, xerosis, lower extremity edema, and musculoskeletal pain—most of them are often observed in end-stage cancer patients. -Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in the repair of tissue, the formation of collagen, and the enzymatic production of certain neurotransmitters. It is required for the functioning of several enzymes and is important for immune system function.
-Ascorbic Acid, Different levels in different Organs
Homeostasis ranging from about 0.2 mM in the muscle and heart, and up to 10 mM in the brain and adrenal gland. -(Note the Oncomagnetic success in the brain also was then under conditions of high Vitamin C)

-Ascorbic acid is an electron donor
Ascorbic Acid, can be a Pro-oxidant
"The pro-oxidative activity of ascorbic acid (Figure 2) is associated with the interaction with transition metal ions (especially iron and copper). Under conditions of high, millimolar ascorbate concentration, vitamin C catalyzes the reduction of free transition metal ions, which causes the formation of oxygen radicals."
Ascorbic Acid, formation of H2O2 (Hydrogen Peroxide)
Many studies indicate the toxicity of ascorbate to cancer cells. Much evidence indicates that the underlying phenomenon is the pro-oxidative activity of ascorbate, which induces the formation of H2O2 and oxidative stress.
"ascorbate at concentrations achieved only by i.v. administration may be a pro-drug for formation of H(2)O(2)"
-High dose VitC therapy may not be for those with kidney problems
-Oral supplement up to 10g/day?
-Direct regulator of TET↑
-caution for (G6PD-) deficient patients receiving vitamin C infusions

-Note plasma half-life 30mins to 1hr, 1.5-2hr elimination half-life.
oral BioAv water soluble, but has limitiations as 100mg yeilds 60uM/L in plasma, but 1000mg only yeilds 85uM/L. mM concentration are required for effectiveness on cancer cells. Hence why IV administration is common. Boosting HIF increases the intracellular uptake of oxidized VitC
Pathways:
- high dose induces ROS production in cancer cells. Otherwise well known antioxidant in normal cells.
- ROS↑ related: MMP↓(ΔΨm), ER Stress↑, Caspases↑, DNA damage↑, cl-PARP↑,
- Lowers AntiOxidant defense in Cancer Cells: NRF2↓, TrxR↓**, SOD↓, GSH↓ Catalase↓ HO1↓ GPx↓
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: ROS↓, NRF2↑, SOD↑, GSH↑, Catalase↑,
- lowers Inflammation : NF-kB↓, COX2↓, p38↓, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines : NLRP3↓, IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓, IL-6↓, IL-8↓
- inhibit Growth/Metastases : TumMeta↓, TumCG↓, EMT↓, MMPs↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, TIMP2, IGF-1↓, VEGF↓, NF-κB↓,
- reactivate genes thereby inhibiting cancer cell growth : P53↑, TET↑
- cause Cell cycle arrest : TumCCA↑, cyclin D1↓, CDK2↓,
- inhibits Migration/Invasion : TumCMig↓, TumCI↓, TNF-α↓, ERK↓, EMT↓, TET1↓,
- inhibits glycolysis /Warburg Effect and ATP depletion : HIF-1α↓, PKM2↓, cMyc↓, GLUT1↓, LDH↓, LDHA↓, HK2↓, PFKs↓, PDKs↓, ECAR↓, GRP78↑, Glucose↓, GlucoseCon↓
- inhibits angiogenesis↓ : VEGF↓, HIF-1α↓,
- Others: PI3K↓, AKT↓, STAT↓, AMPK, ERK↓, JNK,
- Synergies: chemo-sensitization, chemoProtective, RadioSensitizer, RadioProtective, Others(review target notes), Neuroprotective, Cognitive, Hepatoprotective,

- Selectivity: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells
Selenium supplementation may protect cells against iron-dependent cell death by supporting increased expression of selenoproteins, including GPX4, which defend against oxidative stress. Meaning it may decrease effectiveness of high dose VitC.(#4468)


Warburg, Warburg Effect: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type: effect

The Warburg effect (aerobic glycolysis) is a metabolic phenotype where many cancer cells use high glycolytic flux and lactate production even when oxygen is available. Tumors often contain hypoxic regions that further drive glycolysis, but Warburg metabolism can also occur under normoxic conditions (“pseudo-hypoxia”) via oncogenic signaling and metabolic rewiring.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) is one important driver in hypoxic tumor regions. HIF-1α upregulates glycolytic genes (e.g., GLUT1, HK2, LDHA) and promotes reduced mitochondrial pyruvate oxidation in part through induction of PDK (which inhibits PDH), shifting carbon toward lactate.

Warburg effect (GLUT1, LDHA, HK2, and PKM2).
Classic HIF-Warburg axis: PDK1 and MCT4 (SLC16A3) (pyruvate gate + lactate export).

Here are some of the key pathways and potential targets:

Note: use database Filter to find inhibitors: Ex pick target HIF1α, and effect direction ↓

1.Glycolysis Inhibitors:(2-DG, 3-BP)
- HK2 Inhibitors: such as 2-deoxyglucose, can reduce glycolysis
-PFK1 Inhibitors: such as PFK-158, can reduce glycolysis
-PFKFB Inhibitors:
- PKM2 Inhibitors: (Shikonin)
-Can reduce glycolysis
- LDH Inhibitors: (Gossypol, FX11)
-Reducing the conversion of pyruvate to lactate.
-Inhibiting the production of ATP and NADH.
- GLUT1 Inhibitors: (phloretin, WZB117)
-A key transporter involved in glucose uptake.
-GLUT3 Inhibitors:
- PDK1 Inhibitors: (dichloroacetate)
- A key enzyme involved in the regulation of glycolysis. PDK inhibitors (e.g., DCA) activate PDH and shift pyruvate into TCA/OXPHOS, reducing lactate pressure.

2.Pentose phosphate pathway:
- G6PD Inhibitors: can reduce the pentose phosphate pathway

3.Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) pathway:
- HIF1α inhibitors: (PX-478,Shikonin)
-Reduce expression of glycolytic genes and inhibit cancer cell growth.

4.AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway:
-AMPK activators: (metformin,AICAR,berberine)
-Can increase AMPK activity and inhibit cancer cell growth.

5.mTOR pathway:
- mTOR inhibitors:(rapamycin,everolimus)
-Can reduce mTOR activity and inhibit cancer cell growth.

Warburg Targeting Matrix (Cancer Metabolism)

Node What It Does (Warburg role) Representative Inhibitors / Modulators Mechanism Snapshot Typical Tumor Effects Best-Fit Tumor Context Common Constraints / Gotchas TSF Combination Logic
GLUT (glucose uptake)
GLUT1 (SLC2A1) focus
Controls glucose entry; sets the upper bound on glycolytic flux. Research/repurposing: WZB117 (GLUT1), BAY-876 (GLUT1), STF-31 (GLUT1 tool), Fasentin (GLUT), Phloretin (broad, weak)
Dietary/indirect: some polyphenols reported to lower GLUT1 expression (context)
Blocks glucose transport or reduces GLUT1 expression → less substrate for glycolysis & PPP. ATP stress (in highly glycolytic tumors), lactate ↓, growth slowdown; can sensitize to stressors. High-GLUT1 tumors; hypoxic / glycolysis-addicted phenotypes. Systemic glucose handling and glucose-dependent tissues; tumor compensation via alternate fuels. P, R Pairs with ROS/ETC stressors or LDH/MCT blockade; beware compensatory glutaminolysis/fatty acid oxidation.
Hexokinase (HK2)
first committed glycolysis step
Traps glucose as G-6-P; HK2 often upregulated and mitochondria-associated in tumors. Clinical/adjunct interest: 2-Deoxyglucose (2-DG; glycolysis + glycosylation stress)
Research: Lonidamine-class glycolysis axis drugs (not “pure HK2”), 3-bromopyruvate (hazardous research agent; not for casual use)
Competitive substrate mimic (2-DG) → 2-DG-6P accumulation; HK flux ↓; ER glycosylation stress ↑. ATP ↓, AMPK ↑, ER stress/UPR ↑, autophagy ↑, apoptosis (context); radiosensitization reported. Highly glycolytic tumors; tumors with strong HK2 dependence; hypoxic cores. Normal glucose-dependent tissues; ER-stress toxicities; dosing/tolerability limits in practice. P, R, G Pairs with radiation, pro-oxidant stress, or MCT/LDH blockade; watch systemic glucose effects.
LDH (LDHA/LDHB)
pyruvate ⇄ lactate
Regenerates NAD+ to sustain glycolysis; LDHA supports lactate production and acidification. Tier A direct inhibitors: FX11, (R)-GNE-140, NCI-006, Oxamate, Galloflavin, Gossypol
Tier B indirect: polyphenols (often lactate/LDH expression ↓ rather than catalytic inhibition)
Blocks LDH catalysis → NAD+ recycling ↓ → glycolysis throttles; pyruvate handling shifts; redox pressure ↑. Lactate ↓, glycolytic flux ↓, oxidative stress ↑ (often secondary), growth inhibition; immune microenvironment may improve if lactate decreases. LDHA-high tumors; lactate-driven immunosuppression; glycolysis-addicted phenotypes. Metabolic plasticity: tumors switch fuels; some LDH inhibitors have PK liabilities; “LDH release” ≠ LDH inhibition. R, G Pairs with MCT inhibition (trap lactate), NAD+ axis inhibitors, immune therapy (lactate suppression logic), and OXPHOS stressors (context).
MCT (lactate transport)
MCT1 (SLC16A1), MCT4 (SLC16A3)
Exports lactate + H+ (acidifies TME); enables lactate shuttling between tumor subclones. Clinical-stage: AZD3965 (MCT1 inhibitor; clinical trials)
Research: AR-C155858 (MCT1/2), Syrosingopine (MCT1/4; repurposed), Lonidamine (MCT + MPC axis)
Blocks lactate export/import → intracellular acid stress ↑ (in glycolytic cells) and lactate shuttling ↓. Acid stress, growth inhibition; may improve immune function by reducing lactate/acidic suppression (context). MCT1-high tumors; oxidative “lactate-using” tumor fractions; tumors with lactate shuttling. MCT4-driven export can bypass MCT1-only inhibitors; hypoxia upregulates MCT4; need target matching. P, R Pairs strongly with LDH inhibitors (cut production + block export), and with immune therapy rationale (lactate/acid microenvironment).
PDK (PDK1-4)
PDH gatekeeper
PDK inhibits PDH → keeps pyruvate out of mitochondria; supports Warburg by favoring lactate. Prototype: Dichloroacetate (DCA; pan-PDK inhibitor “classic”)
Research: AZD7545 (PDK2 inhibitor; tool), newer PDK inhibitor series (research)
Inhibits PDK → PDH active ↑ → pyruvate into TCA/OXPHOS ↑; lactate pressure ↓. Warburg reversal pressure (context), lactate ↓, mitochondrial flux ↑; can increase ROS in some settings (secondary). PDK-high tumors; tumors with suppressed PDH flux; “glycolysis locked” metabolic phenotype. Requires functional mitochondrial capacity; hypoxia can limit OXPHOS shift; effect is often modulatory rather than directly cytotoxic. R, G Pairs with therapies that exploit mitochondrial dependence or redox stress; can complement LDH/MCT strategies by reducing lactate drive.

Time-Scale Flag (TSF): P / R / G

  • P: 0–30 min (direct transport/enzyme flux effects begin)
  • R: 30 min–3 hr (acute ATP/NAD+/acid stress and signaling changes)
  • G: >3 hr (gene adaptation, phenotype outcomes, immune/TME effects)


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
3136- VitC,    Vitamin C uncouples the Warburg metabolic switch in KRAS mutant colon cancer
- in-vitro, Colon, SW48 - in-vitro, Colon, LoVo
ERK↓, Vitamin C induces RAS detachment from the cell membrane inhibiting ERK 1/2 and PKM2 phosphorylation.
p‑PKM2↓,
GLUT1↓, As a consequence of this activity, strong downregulation of the glucose transporter (GLUT-1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)
Warburg↓, causing a major blockage of the Warburg effect and therefore energetic stress.
TumCD↑, Vitamin C selectively kills KRAS mutant colon cancer cells alone or in combination with cetuximab
eff↑, Remarkably, treatment of HT29, SW480 and LoVo cells with cetuximab (0,4 μM) and vitamin C (5mM) abolished cell growth in the three lines tested.
ROS↓, Interestingly, we detected that vitamin C treatment dramatically reduced intracellular ROS levels in SW480 and LoVo cells (Figure 2D),
cMyc↓, strong inhibition of c-Myc oncogene in colonospheres treated at concentrations of vitamin C as low as 100 μM

3145- VitC,    Warburg_effect">Vitamin C inhibits the growth of colorectal cancer cell HCT116 and reverses the glucose‐induced oncogenic effect by downregulating the Warburg effect
- in-vitro, CRC, HCT116
Warburg↓, Notably, as a potential Warburg effect inhibitor, VC suppressed cancer growth in a concentration-dependent manner and further reversed the glucose-induced oncogenic effect.
TumCG↓,
Glycolysis↓,
GlucoseCon↓, 1 h-exposure to 5 mM VC led to an almost 50% reduction in glucose consumption, ATP and lactate contents in cancer cells, with mild impact on normal cells
ATP↓,
lactateProd↓,
selectivity↑, Meanwhile, normal cell had little apparent change
GLUT1↓, (GLUT1, PKM2, and LDHA) were significantly decreased, with p-AMPK/AMPK increased and p-mTOR/mTOR decreased, consistent with the cytotoxicity on 3 kinds of cancer cells
PKM2↓,
LDHA↓,
mTOR↓,

3141- VitC,    High-dose Vitamin C inhibits PD-L1 expression by activating AMPK in colorectal cancer
- in-vitro, CRC, HCT116
Glycolysis↓, Vitamin C inhibits immune evasion by regulating glycolysis
eff↑, VitC suppresses tumor growth and enhances immunotherapy in combination with anti-PD-L1
PD-L1↓, We found that VitC inhibits aerobic glycolysis in HCT116 cells while also downregulating PD-L1 expression.
AMPK↑, VitC's activation of AMPK, which downregulates HK2 and NF-κB, ultimately resulting in reduced PD-L1 expression and increased T cell infiltration.
HK2↓,
NF-kB↓,
Warburg↓, Our research shows that high-dose VitC downregulating the Warburg effect, suppressing CRC growth
tumCV↓, After treatment with VitC, the cell viability of HCT116 cells significantly decreased
GLUT1↓, marked reduction in the mRNA level of glycolysis-related proteins GLUT1, PKM2, and LDHA
PKM2↓,
LDHA↓,
CD4+↑, Our research shows that high-dose VitC increases CD4+ and CD8+ T cell infiltration in tumor tissues by inhibiting PD-L1
CD8+↑,

3140- VitC,    Vitamin-C-dependent downregulation of the citrate metabolism pathway potentiates pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma growth arrest
- in-vitro, PC, MIA PaCa-2 - in-vitro, Nor, HEK293
citrate↓, pharmacological doses of vitamin C are capable of exerting an inhibitory action on the activity of CS, reducing glucose-derived citrate levels
FASN↓, Moreover, ascorbate targets citrate metabolism towards the de novo lipogenesis pathway, impairing fatty acid synthase (FASN) and ATP citrate lyase (ACLY) expression.
ACLY↓,
LDH↓, correlated with a remarkable decrease in extracellular pH through inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and overall reduced glycolytic metabolism.
Glycolysis↓,
Warburg↓, Dismissed citrate metabolism correlated with reduced Warburg effectors such as the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) and the glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1),
PDK1↓,
GLUT1↓,
LDHA↓, Reduced LDHA expression was also observed after vitamin C exposure, leading to a vast extracellular acidification rate (ECAR) reduction.
ECAR↓,
PDH↑, enhancing PDH activity
eff↑, Surprisingly, an impressive 85% of tumor growth inhibition is described in the combinatory treatment of vitamin C and gemcitabine in our preclinical PDAC PDX model

3138- VitC,    The Hypoxia-inducible Factor Renders Cancer Cells More Sensitive to Vitamin C-induced Toxicity
- in-vitro, RCC, RCC4 - in-vitro, CRC, HCT116 - in-vitro, BC, MDA-MB-435 - in-vitro, Ovarian, SKOV3 - in-vitro, Colon, SW48 - in-vitro, GBM, U251
eff↑, Here, we show that a Warburg effect triggered by activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway greatly enhances Vc-induced toxicity in multiple cancer cell lines
Warburg↓,
BioAv↑, HIF increases the intracellular uptake of oxidized Vc through its transcriptional target glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1),
ROS↑, resulting high levels of intracellular Vc induce oxidative stress and massive DNA damage, which then causes metabolic exhaustion by depleting cellular ATP reserves.
DNAdam↑,
ATP↓,
eff↑, Activation of HIF increases the susceptibility to Vc-induced cell toxicity
necrosis↑, High intracellular levels of Vc increase ROS and trigger necrosis in VHL-defective renal cancer cells.
PARP↑, Activation of the PARP Pathway by Vc Depletes Intracellular ATP Reserves in VHL-defective Renal Cancer Cells

3137- VitC,    Vitamin C inhibits the growth of colorectal cancer cell HCT116 and reverses the glucose-induced oncogenic effect by downregulating the Warburg effect
- in-vitro, CRC, HCT116
Warburg↓, Notably, as a potential Warburg effect inhibitor, VC suppressed cancer growth in a concentration-dependent manner
TumCG↓,


* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 6

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

ROS↓, 1,   ROS↑, 1,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics

ATP↓, 2,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

ACLY↓, 1,   AMPK↑, 1,   citrate↓, 1,   cMyc↓, 1,   ECAR↓, 1,   FASN↓, 1,   GlucoseCon↓, 1,   Glycolysis↓, 3,   HK2↓, 1,   lactateProd↓, 1,   LDH↓, 1,   LDHA↓, 3,   PDH↑, 1,   PDK1↓, 1,   PKM2↓, 2,   p‑PKM2↓, 1,   Warburg↓, 6,  

Cell Death

necrosis↑, 1,   TumCD↑, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics

tumCV↓, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair

DNAdam↑, 1,   PARP↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

ERK↓, 1,   mTOR↓, 1,   TumCG↓, 2,  

Barriers & Transport

GLUT1↓, 4,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

CD4+↑, 1,   NF-kB↓, 1,   PD-L1↓, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

BioAv↑, 1,   eff↑, 5,   selectivity↑, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers

LDH↓, 1,   PD-L1↓, 1,  

Infection & Microbiome

CD8+↑, 1,  
Total Targets: 38

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Total Targets: 0

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: Warburg, Warburg Effect
6 Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:166  Target#:947  State#:%  Dir#:%
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