Effect of ascorbic acid on reactive oxygen species production in chemotherapy and hyperthermia in prostate cancer cells

Cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production is increased by both temperature and anticancer drugs. Antioxidants are known to suppress ROS production while cancer patients may take them as dietary supplement during chemotherapy and hyperthermic therapy. We examined changes in ROS production in prostate cancer cells in the presence of various anticancer drugs and antioxidants at different temperatures. ROS production was increased with temperature in cancer cells, but not in normal cells; this increase was potently inhibited by ascorbic acid. ROS production was also increased in the presence of some anticancer drugs, such as vinblastine, but not by others. Dietary antioxidant supplements, such as β-carotene, showed variable effects. Ascorbic acid potently inhibited ROS production, even in the presence of anticancer drugs, while β-carotene showed no inhibition. Accordingly, our results suggest that cancer patients should carefully choose antioxidants during their cancer chemotherapy and/or hyperthermic therapy.