Degrees of Health Dr Joseph Cullen, MD | Doubling Survival in Cancer Patients - The Science Behind IV Vitamin C
Here we're speaking with Dr. Joseph Cullen as he discusses his research on high dose intravenous (IV) vitamin C as a treatment for metastatic cancer. The aim in his lab is to show that adding high-dose, IV vitamin C, which is very inexpensive and very well tolerated, can improve treatment for these cancers that are among the deadliest. Joseph highlights the potential for it to transform not just patient outcomes but the entire conversation around alternative therapies. He shares candid insights from his lab’s work on glioblastoma, lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer, as well as ongoing studies into combining vitamin C with other treatments like immunotherapy and radiation.
We cover:
💡 What makes high-dose IV vitamin C a game - changer in cancer care
📈 Cancer progression and survival outcomes - his research that shows doubling progression-free survival
🔍 Mechanisms of action - pro-oxidant in cancer cells, antioxidant in healthy cells
👩⚕️ Challenges in acceptance - why some oncologists remain skeptical
🩺 Who benefits most - which cancers respond best, combining therapies, and where it doesn’t work
⚠️ Side effects and safety - what to watch for, including rare risks
The research shows significant promise, but challenges persist. Joseph opens up about the difficulties in securing funding for anything outside pharma-driven drugs and compounds, the skepticism from traditional oncology, and the need for more extensive clinical trials to validate findings. Despite these hurdles, his belief in the therapy’s potential remains steadfast - and his surprise at just how well it works, over and over again, keeps driving him forward.
Mentioned in this episode:
High-dose IV vitamin C plus chemotherapy doubles survival in advanced pancreatic cancer
What is metastatic pancreatic cancer?
Find Joseph:
joseph-cullen@uiowa.edu - Joseph kindly said that oncologists can reach out to him directly to enquire more and request the protocol for patients where appropriate
Free Radical & Radiation Biology
Want to watch this on video? Subscribe on YouTube
Instagram @degreesofhealth
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.