Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, disproportionately affecting young African women. While breast cancer is often linked to older age, African women in their 20s and 30s face the highest incidence of TNBC, which lacks hormone receptors and resists standard treatments.

For African women under 50, the mortality rate is nearly double that of Caucasians, making TNBC a racial health equity crisis.

In response to this disparity, Uche O. Arunsi, a PhD candidate at Georgia Tech’s Oyelere Laboratories, is leading research into the therapeutic potential of vitamin C for TNBC.

His recent publication in Cancers – MDPI demonstrates that pharmacological doses of vitamin C can selectively kill TNBC cells while sparing healthy ones.

“Vitamin C stood out in our studies because it’s not just a nutrient; it’s a molecular disruptor when used at high doses,” Arunsi explains.

“It attacks cancer cells from multiple angles, making it a powerful candidate for adjunct therapy.”

Mechanistically, vitamin C acts as a pro-oxidant, generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) that overwhelm cancer cells.

This oxidative stress triggers ferroptosis, apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and metabolic reprogramming via PDHK1 downregulation.

These effects dismantle cancer cell survival pathways, offering a multi-targeted approach.

“Working on TNBC taught me that the biology of cancer in young African women is distinct and under-researched,” Arunsi reflects.

“We need therapies that are not only effective but also accessible and culturally relevant.”

TNBC is often diagnosed late and treated with aggressive interventions like mastectomy and chemotherapy, yet outcomes remain poor. Vitamin C offers a low-cost, non-toxic, and widely available alternative.

While intravenous administration is needed to reach therapeutic levels, oral supplementation may still benefit early-stage disease or complement nutritional strategies.

“This research isn’t just about molecules, it’s about equity,” Arunsi emphasises.

“In communities with limited access to advanced cancer care, vitamin C makes therapy more than theoretical; it makes it inclusive.”

Although some TNBC risk factors are genetic, Arunsi notes that lifestyle changes can help reduce risk.

He encourages young African women to maintain a healthy weight, exercise regularly, limit alcohol intake, eat antioxidant-rich foods, breastfeed if possible, understand their family history, avoid prolonged hormonal exposure, and prioritise early screening.

To address TNBC in Africa, especially among younger women, Arunsi calls for expanding early screening before age 40, funding research focused on TNBC biology in African women, increasing access to clinical trials and immunotherapy, and exploring nutritional and indigenous remedies, including vitamin C.

“Vitamin C may not be a cure-all,” Arunsi concludes, “but it’s a scientifically validated molecule with the potential to reshape cancer care for underserved populations.

With strategic investment, community engagement, and translational research, we can turn the tide against TNBC and save lives.”

Short Bio and Headshot

Uche Okuu Arunsi is a 4th-year PhD Candidate in Bioorganic Chemistry at the School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, working under the supervision of Professor Adegboyega K. Oyelere in the Oyelere Laboratories.

His research lies at the intersection of chemotherapy and immunotherapy, with a focus on developing synergistic treatment strategies for prostate and triple-negative breast cancers.

Uche holds a Master’s degree in Cancer Immunology and Biotechnology from the University of Nottingham, where he studied the role of ZEB1 and CD45-positive cells in vascular endothelial quiescence.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria, completing a thesis on the antiulcerogenic properties of plant extracts in Wistar rats.

A passionate and productive researcher, Uche has co-authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in pharmacology and toxicology, with topics ranging from cancer therapeutics to reproductive toxicology.

His work has appeared in journals such as ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science, Cancers MDPI, Scientific Reports, Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology, Human & Experimental Toxicology, Toxicology Research, Toxicon, Journal of Cleaner Production, Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, Toxicology, Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, NY), Experimental Biology and Medicine, Drug and Chemical Toxicology, Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Industrial Health, Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, Biological Trace Element Research, Journal of Molecular Neuroscience, BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, Journal of Food Biochemistry, Journal of Biomedical Research, American Journal of Biomedical Research, Toxin Reviews, BioMetals, Journal of Biochemical and Molecular Toxicology, and Discover Molecules.

These journals are indexed in major databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and span disciplines including biomedical sciences, pharmacology, public health, and integrative medicine.

He has presented at national and international conferences, earning accolades including an Outstanding Poster Presentation Award from the Georgia Tech School of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Uche is also active in the academic community as a manuscript reviewer for Frontiers in Nutrition, Frontiers in Public Health, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Frontiers in Veterinary Sciences, Clinical Traditional Medicine and Pharmacology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety

Heliyon, Journal of Environmental Sciences, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Journal of Food Composition and Analysis, Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology, Pharmacological Research - Natural Products, Phytomedicine Plus, Reproductive Biology, South African Journal of Botany, Scientific Reports, Cancers, International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Bioengineering, Biomedicines, Genes, Current Oncology, and Microorganisms.

These journals are indexed in major databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and span disciplines including biomedical sciences, pharmacology, public health, and integrative medicine.

Uche Okuu Arunsi

PhD Candidate

Oyelere Laboratories,

Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience,

School of Chemistry & Biochemistry,

Georgia Institute of Technology,

Atlanta, GA  30332-0400 USA.