STUDY: Topical vitamin C in DMSO eliminated 56% of biopsy-confirmed skin cancer cases within 12 weeks

In 44% of squamous cell carcinomas, the lesions shrank by over 85%, while 94% of patients were able to avoid surgery.

A recent clinical study revealed that a simple topical solution of vitamin C in DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) elicited remarkable responses in biopsy-confirmed squamous cell carcinoma in situ (SCCIS), an early form of skin cancer confined to the epidermis.

The study included 17 patients with 27 biopsy-confirmed SCCIS lesions. For 12 weeks, participants applied a 30% ascorbic acid solution in 95% DMSO/5% distilled water directly to the lesions twice daily using a small brush.

Key findings:

• In 56% of the lesions, complete histological healing was achieved – that is, no carcinoma was found in a repeat biopsy of the treated area and subsequent microscopic examination.
• 44% of the lesions shrank by more than 85%.
• The average lesion area decreased by 71%, from 1.06 cm² at the start of the study to 0.30 cm² after treatment.
• Surgical removal could be avoided in 94% of patients.
• Only 2 out of 27 lesions (7%) did not respond to treatment.
• The treatment was generally well tolerated; no participant discontinued treatment due to side effects.

DMSO was used as a means of improving skin penetration. DMSO can temporarily alter the lipid structure of the outer skin barrier, thereby helping a water-soluble compound such as vitamin C to penetrate the treated lesion more effectively. The authors point out that DMSO itself may have certain biological effects, although in this formulation it was primarily intended to serve as a carrier.

The presumed mechanism of cancer control is based on the fact that high concentrations of ascorbate in tumour tissue act as a pro-oxidant, generating hydrogen peroxide and oxidative stress, which could primarily damage malignant cells. Pathological examination after treatment showed a significant reduction or disappearance of the carcinoma, sometimes leaving only atypical or precancerous modifications.

Larger randomized trials are now needed to confirm these impressive results.

yogaesoteric
October 14, 2026