Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

Many animals produce their own vitamin C. Early human ancestors did too. But they lost the ability about 60 million years ago, trading the health benefits of vitamin C production for the ability to produce more energy. Yet vitamin C is still an essential nutrient for humans. New work from the lab of Jean Zhao, PhD, a researcher in the Department of Cancer Biology, suggests that vitamin C might act as an anti-cancer immunotherapy. "In the past, we didn’t have the scientific tools to understand how vitamin C might work against cancer," says Zhao. "Now we do and that gives us a chance to learn more about how powerful it could be." The research, which was done in mice and recently published in Cell, details the mechanism behind the potential anti-cancer effects of vitamin C and uncovers a new form of post-translational protein modification, a cellular mechanism that changes the way a protein behaves after it has been assembled. This new mechanism, dubbed "vitcylation" by Zhao, joins a list of familiar protein modification mechanisms like phosphorylation, methylation, acetylation, and glycosylation. "These post-translational protein modifications are very important and affect many cellular functions," says Zhao. According to the research, vitcylation activity increases with vitamin C dose under the body’s physiological pH levels. At a normal physiological pH of approximately 7.4, vitamin C predominantly exists in its ascorbate ion form, where vitcylation occurs. During vitcylation, ascorbate ions modify lysine, an essential amino acid used in the body to form proteins. The modification changes the way the affected proteins behave. Zhao’s team specifically investigated how vitamin C affects proteins inside cancer cells. They found that ascorbate ion enters tumor cells and modifies a protein called STAT1. This modification has two effects. It enhances the activation of IFN-gamma, which sends a signal outside of the cell requesting aid from immune cells, and increases the cell’s efforts to present tumor antigens, small fragments of abnormal, tumor-specific proteins, on the surface of the cancer cell. "These tumor cells are now waving a red flag," says Zhao. "They are saying 'we’re cancer cells, we are sick cells. Come kill us!'" After reading this, it might seem tempting to grab an orange and get this vitcylation process going at home. Zhao agrees that good nutrition is essential for wellness and to reduce cancer risks, but it is only a part of a larger, unfolding story. "We are talking about doses of vitamin C that are 100 or 1000 times higher than the recommended daily dose for adults," says Zhao. "We need more research to understand this mechanism and how it might work in humans." Zhao is eager to continue this line of research. "Science is heavily weighted to the study of chemical pharmaceuticals, but there is power in nature and in the integration of nutraceuticals and pharmaceuticals that may yet be untapped," she says.

Our Older Adult Gastrointestinal Cancer Program was built with direct input from older adults and their caregivers. From physical and occupational therapy to nutrition, clinical trials, and emotional support, the program is designed to support every aspect of older adults’ cancer care. Learn more about this innovative program for patients 65 and older: https://bit.ly/4lpwHoA

Incorporating plant-based foods into a daily diet may help lower the risk of certain cancers. Learn tips for building a balanced and nutritious diet that supports health and wellness.

People with Lynch syndrome face a higher risk of developing colon cancer and other cancers, with chances ranging from 22% to 74%, compared to 5% for those without the condition. Our researchers are running a clinical trial testing a cancer vaccine that trains the immune system to very specifically recognize the kinds of cancer cells that are likely to develop in people with Lynch syndrome — and eradicate them before they develop into cancer. "We’ve been seeing incredible success with immunotherapies that harness the body’s immune system to fight cancers," says gastroenterologist Ramona Lim, MD, who is leading the trial. "We’d like to use these same principles to prevent cancer from occurring in genetically predisposed individuals using a vaccine." The Tri-Ad5 vaccine enhances the immune system's ability to detect cancer early by training T cells to recognize tumor-associated antigens. It combines three vaccines targeting molecules common in various cancers, alongside a medicine that primes the immune system. Previously tested in a phase 1 trial, Tri-Ad5 was safe and effectively tuned the immune system to recognize cancer cells, supporting the current phase 2 trial to assess its effectiveness in Lynch syndrome patients. The Tri-Ad5 vaccine is based on vaccine delivery technology called Ad5. The FDA has approved one Ad5-based cancer vaccine for a form of bladder cancer. Tri-Ad5 and other Ad5-based cancer vaccines are still being investigated in clinical trials. The trial is offered through our Lynch Syndrome Center and open to adults over age 18 with Lynch syndrome. Patients with Lynch syndrome and history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer can join if they meet other entry criteria. "This is the biggest vaccine prevention trial we’ve ever had in Lynch syndrome in North America," says Lim. "We are really eager to learn if we can shift the paradigm in terms of what we can do for cancer prevention." The randomized, double-blinded trial integrates seamlessly into the annual colon cancer screening schedule. Participants undergo regular screenings, and if eligible, receive either the vaccine or placebo. After two years, they are screened again to evaluate the vaccine's impact on cancer development compared to the placebo group. "We don’t know if this will be the vaccine that becomes a new intervention or if it will be a different preventive approach in development," says Lim. "But I’m finding that our patients are very excited to help us learn find the best new options for them and their families."

Matthew Meyerson, MD, PhD, FAACR, Toni Choueiri, MD, and Alice Shaw, MD, PhD, have been selected by the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) as recipients of 2025 Scientific Achievement Awards. Please join us in congratulating them on this honorable recognition. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Y0Nl3P

After her breast cancer surgery, Tia struggled with mobility in her left shoulder. It felt as though the joint was frozen, and she could feel some swelling in her chest. After several dead ends, she learned that this feeling may be caused by early-stage lymphedema. This condition is a common side effect of breast cancer operations in which underarm lymph nodes are removed. Taking those nodes out of the equation results in buildup of lymph fluid – the resulting swelling is uncomfortable and may affect the shoulders, arms, and chest. It may even predispose someone to infection and influence their mobility. Jennifer Ligibel, MD, a breast oncologist who specializes in exercise research, notes that there may be psychological effects associated with lymphedema as well. For people who have made it through breast cancer treatment, the swelling, and some of the typical interventions like compression sleeves, are a reminder or a mark of the disease they survived. Tia wanted to explore every option available to prevent lymphedema, so she visited Nancy Campbell, MS, a clinical exercise physiologist at our Leonard P. Zakim Center for Integrative Therapies. Had Tia sought care for this two decades ago, most physicians would have recommended moving as little as possible. Noting an onset of lymphedema after an inciting event like raking leaves or shoveling snow, these physicians believed that strenuous movement led to lymphedema. "We used to tell people to never lift more than five pounds," Ligibel says. "It was probably the worst advice you could give." She explains that this theory did not recognize the importance of regular exercise to keep muscles conditioned. This changed in 2009 when a study led by University of Pittsburgh’s Kathryn Schmitz, PhD, MPH, compared a group of patients that underwent an exercise regimen to another that did not. It was found that a supervised weightlifting program could prevent and even reduce the problems associated with lymphedema, as it improves muscle tone and helps lymph fluid move appropriately. In the years since, several other studies have bolstered this conclusion. Exercise was found to also lower risk factors for lymphedema like obesity and inflammation. We were quick to adjust our programs to reflect the change, introducing strength training and yoga programs specifically for lymphedema prevention in the Zakim Center. "The training needs to be structured," Ligibel warns. "Weight should be increased slowly, and every patient should speak with their physician before starting an exercise regimen." During a consultation, Campbell outlined a regimen for Tia that would avoid injury and bolster strength over time. "I love doing it," Tia says. "I feel stronger. The more I move, the better I feel." All of it allows her to lead the active lifestyle she wants and offers mental and emotional support when she feels stressed. She sums it up quite simply: "It has changed my life."

Staff ID: Erika Lowenthal, MT-BC, NMT Job title: Music Therapist Describe your role: I am a therapist in the Jimmy Fund Clinic, specializing in music therapy. This clinical, evidence-based practice uses personalized interventions to support patients in achieving therapeutic goals beyond music itself. It is an interactive and enjoyable therapy, but research also shows that music therapy can improve a patient’s mood, reduce anxiety and stress, or help ease side effects of chemotherapy, such as nausea or pain. For children in particular, music therapy can also help with emotional development and fine motor skills. No experience is needed to partake, which makes it accessible to many I personalize sessions based on each patient’s needs and goals. This may include listening to a favorite song with the patient and their loved ones to discuss its meaning. Other times, patients can find me in the music room in the Betty Ann Blum and Marjorie Blum Pediatric Resource Room. There, they can pick up a guitar, ukulele, or a set of bongos, and learn how to play, or simply let the music out as it comes to them. I also join patients during procedures like blood draws, using music to help alleviate anxiety. What do you enjoy most about what you do here? Music has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I‘m grateful that I can do what I love every day while being able to make an impact on the lives of our patients and their loved ones. What are you most proud of? When patients’ families express to me how music has helped them through treatment and their diagnosis, I can’t help but have a huge smile on my face! What do you like to do in your free time? I love to spend time with family, friends, and my dog. You can often find me hiking a mountain, camping in a national park, or traveling and exploring other countries.

Please join us in welcoming Helenemarie Blake, Esq, CIPP/US, CIPM, as Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer. Blake will oversee healthcare compliance at the Institute, ensuring compliance with all major laws, regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures relevant to healthcare providers. We’re excited to have her on board!

More than 25 Dana-Farber Cancer Institute staff are presenting their work in podium, interactive session, and poster presentations this week at the 2025 Oncology Nursing Society Congress. If you’re attending, stop by our booth, 3094, to connect with our staff and learn about the Dana-Farber difference. #ONSCongress

Our Nursing and Patient Care Services team is proud to represent the Institute at the 2025 Oncology Nursing Society Congress in Denver, Colorado. This week, they’re sharing their work through podium sessions, poster presentations, and interactive discussions — showcasing the innovation, collaboration, and compassionate care that define oncology nursing at Dana-Farber. We’re honored to contribute, learn from peers nationwide, and celebrate the vital role of nursing in cancer care. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3XRA6SR