Mitogenic inhibition and effect on survival of mice bearing L1210 leukemia using a combination of dehydroascorbic acid and hydroxycobalamin.

The present study was designed to test the effect of a combination of dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) and hydroxycobalamin (vitamin B12) on the survival of mice bearing L1210 leukemia. Results showed a significant increase in survival of treated mice compared with controls (p less than or equal to 0.0001) (Student's t-test). This positive effect was significantly lost when DHA was substituted by ascorbic acid (AA) in the same experimental conditions. In vitro findings also revealed that the DHA-B12 combination specifically inhibited mitoses of L1210 cells while non-neoplastic L929 cells were not affected.