Thursday September 6, 2007 (Foodconsumer.org) -- A study led by researchers at Sookmyung Women's University in Seoul, Korea found some biological basis for the ascorbate induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

Ascorbate (vitamin C) has been shown to inhibit cell growth and induce cell deaths in a variety of cancer cells including human breast cancer cells, according to the background information provided by the researchers in their study report, which was published in the October 18, 2007 issue of Oncology Reports.

In the study, the researchers intended to demonstrate that ascorbate induces cell death through the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) in human breast cancer cell lines, SK-BRS and Hs578T, but not in the normal breast cells, Hs578.

The researchers suggested ascorbate activates a caspase-independent and AIF-mediated cell death pathway in human breast cancer cells, SK-BR3 and Hs578T.