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How C-Max Works

Better Than Vitamin C Alone

C-Max employs two redox cycling agents, vitamin K3 and Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA), to drastically enhance the anti-cancer qualities of its high dose of vitamin C. When combined with redox cycling agents, vitamin C can undergo redox reactions more efficiently, leading to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that can induce oxidative stress and ultimately promote cancer cell death.

Helps Immune Cells "See" Cancer

Vitamin C and K3 together allow the immune system to "see" cancer cells better, enhancing the innate immune system's ability to locate and kill them.

Better Tumor Penetration

C-Max liposomes are particles specifically designed to penetrate into tumors. During production, C-Max liposomes are tightly controlled so as to conform to the appropriate size for maximum tumor penetration.

SAFE for your body

Unlike many cancer medications, C-Max is completely safe for normal human physiology. In fact, C-Max vitamins have passed stage two FDA trials for safety.

"CK3 kills cancer cells, leaving healthy cells intact."

Leading oncology researchers agree: the redox-cycling activity of vitamin C, vitamin K3, and Alpha Lipoic Acid kills cancer more effectively than high-dose vitamin C alone.

Peer Reviewed Studies

The C-Max vitamin combination has demonstrated safety and therapeutic effectiveness against various types of cancer.
Bladder Cancer

Gilloteaux J, Jamison JM, Neal DR, Loukas M, Doberzstyn T, Summers JL. Cell damage and death by autoschizis in human bladder (RT4) carcinoma cells resulting from treatment with ascorbate and menadione. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2010 May;34(3):140-60. doi: 10.3109/01913121003662304. PMID: 20455663.


Jamison JM, Gilloteaux J, Perlaky L, Thiry M, Smetana K, Neal D, McGuire K, Summers JL. Nucleolar changes and fibrillarin redistribution following apatone treatment of human bladder carcinoma cells. J Histochem Cytochem. 2010 Jul;58(7):635-51. doi: 10.1369/jhc.2010.956284. Epub 2010 Apr 12. PMID: 20385787; PMCID: PMC2889405.


Gilloteaux J, Jamison JM, Arnold D, Neal DR, Summers JL. Morphology and DNA degeneration during autoschizic cell death in bladder carcinoma T24 cells induced by ascorbate and menadione treatment. Anat Rec A Discov Mol Cell Evol Biol. 2006 Jan;288(1):58-83. doi: 10.1002/ar.a.20276. PMID: 16345077.
[T24 Cell Line] Gilloteaux, Jacques, et al. "Ultrastructural aspects of autoschizis: a new cancer cell death induced by the synergistic action of ascorbate/menadione on human bladder carcinoma cells." Ultrastructural pathology 25.3 (2001): 183-192.


Kassouf W, Highshaw R, Nelkin GM, Dinney CP, Kamat AM. Vitamins C and K3 sensitize human urothelial tumors to gemcitabine. J Urol. 2006 Oct;176(4 Pt 1):1642-7. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2006.06.042. PMID: 16952707.

Brain Cancer

Sumiyoshi A, Shibata S, Zhelev Z, Miller T, Lazarova D, Aoki I, Obata T, Higashi T, Bakalova R. Targeting Glioblastoma via Selective Alteration of Mitochondrial Redox State. Cancers (Basel). 2022 Jan 19;14(3):485. doi: 10.3390/cancers14030485. PMID: 35158753; PMCID: PMC8833725. Link.
Despotović A, Mirčić A, Misirlić-Denčić S, Harhaji-Trajković L, Trajković V, Zogović N, Tovilović-Kovačević G. Combination of Ascorbic Acid and Menadione Induces Cytotoxic Autophagy in Human Glioblastoma Cells. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2022 Mar 23;2022:2998132. doi: 10.1155/2022/2998132. PMID: 35368869; PMCID: PMC8967583. Link.


Sumiyoshi A, Shibata S, Zhelev Z, Miller T, Lazarova D, Zlateva G, Aoki I, Bakalova R. Pharmacological Strategy for Selective Targeting of Glioblastoma by Redox-active Combination Drug - Comparison With the Chemotherapeutic Standard-of-care Temozolomide. Anticancer Res. 2021 Dec;41(12):6067-6076. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.15426. PMID: 34848461. Link.


Vita MF, Nagachar N, Avramidis D, Delwar ZM, Cruz MH, Siden Å, Paulsson KM, Yakisich JS. Pankiller effect of prolonged exposure to menadione on glioma cells: potentiation by vitamin C. Invest New Drugs. 2011 Dec;29(6):1314-20. doi: 10.1007/s10637-010-9489-0. Epub 2010 Jul 13. PMID: 20625795; PMCID: PMC3171656. Link.

Breast Cancer

Triple Combination of Ascorbate, Menadione and the Inhibition of Peroxiredoxin-1 Produces Synergistic Cytotoxic Effects in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells: Bajor M, Graczyk-Jarzynka A, Marhelava K, Kurkowiak M, Rahman A, Aura C, Russell N, Zych AO, Firczuk M, Winiarska M, Gallagher WM, Zagozdzon R. Triple Combination of Ascorbate, Menadione and the Inhibition of Peroxiredoxin-1 Produces Synergistic Cytotoxic Effects in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020 Apr 16;9(4):320. doi: 10.3390/antiox9040320. PMID: 32316111; PMCID: PMC7222372.


Bakalova R, Semkova S, Ivanova D, Zhelev Z, Miller T, Takeshima T, Shibata S, Lazarova D, Aoki I, Higashi T. Selective Targeting of Cancerous Mitochondria and Suppression of Tumor Growth Using Redox-Active Treatment Adjuvant. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020 Nov 2;2020:6212935. doi: 10.1155/2020/6212935. PMID: 33204397; PMCID: PMC7652615.

Semkova S, Zhelev Z, Miller T, Sugaya K, Aoki I, Higashi T, Bakalova R. Menadione/Ascorbate Induces Overproduction of Mitochondrial Superoxide and Impairs Mitochondrial Function in Cancer: Comparative Study on Cancer and Normal Cells of the Same Origin. Anticancer Res. 2020 Apr;40(4):1963-1972. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.14151. PMID: 32234885.

Dejeans N, Tajeddine N, Beck R, Verrax J, Taper H, Gailly P, Calderon PB. Endoplasmic reticulum calcium release potentiates the ER stress and cell death caused by an oxidative stress in MCF-7 cells. Biochem Pharmacol. 2010 May 1;79(9):1221-30. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2009.12.009. Epub 2009 Dec 16. PMID: 20006589.


Beck R, Verrax J, Dejeans N, Taper H, Calderon PB. Menadione reduction by pharmacological doses of ascorbate induces an oxidative stress that kills breast cancer cells. Int J Toxicol. 2009 Jan-Feb;28(1):33-42. doi: 10.1177/1091581809333139. PMID: 19482829.

Colon Cancer

Bakalova R, Semkova S, Ivanova D, Zhelev Z, Miller T, Takeshima T, Shibata S, Lazarova D, Aoki I, Higashi T. Selective Targeting of Cancerous Mitochondria and Suppression of Tumor Growth Using Redox-Active Treatment Adjuvant. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020 Nov 2;2020:6212935. doi: 10.1155/2020/6212935. PMID: 33204397; PMCID: PMC7652615.

Semkova S, Zhelev Z, Miller T, Sugaya K, Aoki I, Higashi T, Bakalova R. Menadione/Ascorbate Induces Overproduction of Mitochondrial Superoxide and Impairs Mitochondrial Function in Cancer: Comparative Study on Cancer and Normal Cells of the Same Origin. Anticancer Res. 2020 Apr;40(4):1963-1972. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.14151. PMID: 32234885.

A D'Odorico, G C Sturniolo, R F Bilton, A I Morris, I T Gilmore, R Naccarato, Quinone-induced DNA single strand breaks in a human colon carcinoma cell line., Carcinogenesis, Volume 18, Issue 1, Jan 1997, Pages 43–46, https://doi.org/10.1093/carcin/18.1.43

Leukemia

Bakalova R, Semkova S, Ivanova D, Zhelev Z, Miller T, Takeshima T, Shibata S, Lazarova D, Aoki I, Higashi T. Selective Targeting of Cancerous Mitochondria and Suppression of Tumor Growth Using Redox-Active Treatment Adjuvant. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2020 Nov 2;2020:6212935. doi: 10.1155/2020/6212935. PMID: 33204397; PMCID: PMC7652615.

Beck R, Pedrosa RC, Dejeans N, Glorieux C, Levêque P, Gallez B, Taper H, Eeckhoudt S, Knoops L, Calderon PB, Verrax J. Ascorbate/menadione-induced oxidative stress kills cancer cells that express normal or mutated forms of the oncogenic protein Bcr-Abl. An in vitro and in vivo mechanistic study. Invest New Drugs. 2011 Oct;29(5):891-900. doi: 10.1007/s10637-010-9441-3. Epub 2010 May 8. PMID: 20454833.


Beck R, Verrax J, Gonze T, Zappone M, Pedrosa RC, Taper H, Feron O, Calderon PB. Hsp90 cleavage by an oxidative stress leads to its client proteins degradation and cancer cell death. Biochem Pharmacol. 2009 Feb 1;77(3):375-83. doi: 10.1016/j.bcp.2008.10.019. Epub 2008 Oct 28. PMID: 19014912.

Verrax J, Delvaux M, Beghein N, Taper H, Gallez B, Buc Calderon P. Enhancement of quinone redox cycling by ascorbate induces a caspase-3 independent cell death in human leukaemia cells. An in vitro comparative study. Free Radic Res. 2005 Jun;39(6):649-57. doi: 10.1080/10715760500097906. PMID: 16036343.


Vitamins C and K3: A Powerful Redox System for Sensitizing Leukemia Lymphocytes to Everolimus and Barasertib: Ivanova D, Zhelev Z, Lazarova D, Getsov P, Bakalova R, Aoki I. Vitamins C and K3: A Powerful Redox System for Sensitizing Leukemia Lymphocytes to Everolimus and Barasertib. Anticancer Res. 2018 Mar;38(3):1407-1414. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.12364. PMID: 29491065.

CK3 kills cancer cells, leaving healthy cells intact: Semkova S, Zhelev Z, Miller T, Sugaya K, Aoki I, Higashi T, Bakalova R. Menadione/Ascorbate Induces Overproduction of Mitochondrial Superoxide and Impairs Mitochondrial Function in Cancer: Comparative Study on Cancer and Normal Cells of the Same Origin. Anticancer Res. 2020 Apr;40(4):1963-1972. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.14151. PMID: 32234885.
[K562 Cell Line] Verrax J, Vanbever S, Stockis J, Taper H, Calderon PB. Role of glycolysis inhibition and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase activation in necrotic-like cell death caused by ascorbate/menadione-induced oxidative stress in K562 human chronic myelogenous leukemic cells. Int J Cancer. 2007 Mar 15;120(6):1192-7. doi: 10.1002/ijc.22439. PMID: 17163414.

Liver Cancer

Verrax J, Cadrobbi J, Marques C, Taper H, Habraken Y, Piette J, Calderon PB. Ascorbate potentiates the cytotoxicity of menadione leading to an oxidative stress that kills cancer cells by a non-apoptotic caspase-3 independent form of cell death. Apoptosis. 2004 Mar;9(2):223-33. doi: 10.1023/B:APPT.0000018804.26026.1a. PMID: 15004519.

Melanomas

Tremante E, Santarelli L, Lo Monaco E, Sampaoli C, Ingegnere T, Guerrieri R, Tomasetti M, Giacomini P. Sub-apoptotic dosages of pro-oxidant vitamin cocktails sensitize human melanoma cells to NK cell lysis. Oncotarget. 2015 Oct 13;6(31):31039-49. doi: 10.18632/oncotarget.5024. PMID: 26427039; PMCID: PMC4741587.

Ovarian Cancer

Jacques Gilloteaux, H. Lee Lau, Ioulia Gourari, Deborah Neal, James M. Jamison, J.L. Summers, Apatone® induces endometrioid ovarian carcinoma (MDAH 2774) cells to undergo karyolysis and cell death by autoschizis: A potent and safe anticancer treatment, Translational Research in Anatomy, Volume 1, 2015, Pages 25-39, ISSN 2214-854X.

Prostate Cancer

Gilloteaux J, Jamison JM, Summers JL, Taper HS. Reactivation of nucleases with peroxidation damages induced by a
menadione: ascorbate combination devastates human prostate carcinomas:
ultrastructural aspects. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2024 Sep 2;48(5):378-421.
doi: 10.1080/01913123.2024.2379300. Epub 2024 Aug 6. PMID: 39105605.

Gilloteaux J, Jamison JM, Summers JL. Pro-oxidant treatment of human prostate carcinoma (DU145) induces autoschizis cell death: autophagosomes build up out of injured endomembranes and mitochondria. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2014 Oct;38(5):315-28. doi: 10.3109/01913123.2014.927404. Epub 2014 Jun 23. PMID: 24955925.


Tareen B, Summers JL, Jamison JM, Neal DR, McGuire K, Gerson L, Diokno A. A 12 week, open label, phase I/IIa study using apatone for the treatment of prostate cancer patients who have failed standard therapy. Int J Med Sci. 2008 Mar 24;5(2):62-7. doi: 10.7150/ijms.5.62. PMID: 18392145; PMCID: PMC2288789.


Gilloteaux J, Jamison JM, Neal DR, Summers JL. Cell death by autoschizis in TRAMP prostate carcinoma cells as a result of treatment by ascorbate: menadione combination. Ultrastruct Pathol. 2005 May-Aug;29(3-4):221-35. doi: 10.1080/01913120590951239. PMID: 16036878.


Lasalvia-Prisco E, Cucchi S, Vázquez J, Lasalvia-Galante E, Golomar W, Gordon W. Serum markers variation consistent with autoschizis induced by ascorbic acid-menadione in patients with prostate cancer. Med Oncol. 2003;20(1):45-52. doi: 10.1385/mo:20:1:45. PMID: 12665684.

General Cancer Studies

The combination of ascorbate and menadione causes cancer cell death by oxidative stress and replicative stress: Ren X, Santhosh SM, Coppo L, Ogata FT, Lu J, Holmgren A. The combination of ascorbate and menadione causes cancer cell death by oxidative stress and replicative stress. Free Radic Biol Med. 2019 Apr;134:350-358. doi: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2019.01.037. Epub 2019 Jan 28. PMID: 30703479.


Improved redox anti-cancer treatment efficacy through reactive species rhythm manipulation: Kizhuveetil U, Omer S, Karunagaran D, Suraishkumar GK. Improved redox anti-cancer treatment efficacy through reactive species rhythm manipulation. Sci Rep. 2020 Jan 31;10(1):1588. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-58579-2. PMID: 32005913; PMCID: PMC6994657.


Taper HS. Altered deoxyribonuclease activity in cancer cells and its role in non toxic adjuvant cancer therapy with mixed vitamins C and K3. Anticancer Res. 2008 Sep-Oct;28(5A):2727-32. PMID: 19035302.

Urothelial carcinoma 

Kassouf W, Highshaw R, Nelkin GM, Dinney CP, Kamat AM. Vitamins C and K3 sensitize human urothelial tumors to gemcitabine. J Urol. 2006 Oct;176(4 Pt 1):1642-7. doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2006.06.042. PMID: 16952707.