Research Study of IV Vitamin C in Combination With Irinotecan vs Irinotecan Alone for Advanced Colorectal CA

This is an interventional treatment trial for Stage IV Colorectal Cancer focused on measuring Stage IV Colorectal cancer, Colorectal Neoplasms, Intestinal Neoplasms, Gastrointestinal Neoplasms, Digestive System Neoplasms, Neoplasms by Site, Neoplasms, Digestive System Diseases, Gastrointestinal Diseases, Colonic Diseases, Intestinal Diseases, Rectal Diseases, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamins, Irinotecan, Integrative Medicine, Complementary Medicine, Alternative Medicine Antioxidants, Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action, Pharmacologic Actions, Protective Agents, Physiological Effects of Drugs, Micronutrients, Growth Substances, Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic, Antineoplastic Agents, Therapeutic Uses, Radiation-Sensitizing Agents, Topoisomerase I Inhibitors, Topoisomerase Inhibitors, Enzyme Inhibitors Read More

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age > 18 years
• Metastatic colorectal carcinoma (stage IV disease).
• Patients must have progressed on one or more prior chemotherapy treatment regimens including at least one trial of a 5-FU/oxaliplatin based therapy (FOLFOX) in combination with bevacizumab. Patients must not have had standard chemotherapy within at least 2 weeks of beginning ascorbic acid treatment provided that they have recovered from any toxicities that they experienced.
• G6PD status > lower limit of normal
• Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0 to 2.
• Laboratory at baseline evaluation for inclusion in the study: creatinine ≤1.5X upper limit (if the creatinine is elevated, but ≤1.5X the ULN, a 24 hour creatinine clearance will be obtained); transaminase (AST/ALT) ≤2.0X upper limit of normal; bilirubin levels ≥ 2 mg/dL; ANC ≥1,500/mm3; Hemoglobin > 8g/dL; platelet ≥ 100,000/mm3;
• Women of childbearing potential will confirm a negative pregnancy test and must practice effective contraception during the study.
• Willing and able to provide informed consent and participate in the study procedures.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with evidence of a significant current psychiatric disorder that would prevent completion of the study as determined by the PI will not be allowed to participate.
• Co-morbid medical condition that would affect survival or tolerance as determined by the PI. This includes patients who have not fully recovered from toxicities associated with prior therapy. It also includes subjects who, as determined by the PI, are at risk of experiencing fluid overload (i.e., congestive heart failure).
• Patients who currently abuse alcohol or drugs.
• Patients with known glomerular filtration rate of <60ml/min or with nephrotic range proteinuria.
• Pregnant or lactating women
• Enrollment in active clinical trial/ experimental therapy or IND study within the prior 30 days.
• Contraindication for CT or PET/CT as per the PI.
• Patients who are on strong inducers of CYP3A4 which include but are not limited to: Aminoglutethimide, Bexarotene, Bosentan, Carbamazepine, Dexamethasone, Efavirenz, Fosphenytoin, Griseofulvin, Modafinil, Nafcillin, Nevirapine, Oxcarbazepine, Phenobarbital, Phenytoin, Primidone, Rifabutin, Rifampin, Rifapentine, St. John's wort.