Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer, disproportionately affecting young African women.

While breast cancer is typically associated with older age, African women in their 20s and 30s face the highest incidence of TNBC a subtype that lacks hormone receptors and resists standard treatments.

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

In response to this disparity, Uche O. Arunsi, a PhD candidate at Georgia Tech’s Oyelere Laboratories, is leading groundbreaking 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 through PDHK1 downregulation.

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

“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 such as mastectomy and chemotherapy, yet outcomes remain poor. Vitamin C offers a low-cost, non-toxic, and widely available alternative.

While intravenous administration is required to achieve therapeutic levels, oral supplementation may still benefit early-stage disease or serve as a complement to nutritional strategies.

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

Prioritize early screening

To address TNBC in Africa, especially among younger women, Arunsi calls for:

Expanding early screening to include women below age 40

Funding research focused on TNBC biology in African women

Increasing access to clinical trials and immunotherapy

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.”

Uche Okuu Arunsi is a fourth-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 investigated 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 anti-ulcerogenic properties of plant extracts in Wistar rats.

A passionate and prolific researcher, Uche has co-authored numerous peer-reviewed publications in pharmacology and toxicology, covering topics 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, Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, NY), Drug and Chemical Toxicology, and BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, among others.

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

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

Uche is also an active academic community member, serving as a manuscript reviewer for multiple journals, including Frontiers in Nutrition, Frontiers in Public Health, Frontiers in Pharmacology, Clinical Traditional Medicine and Pharmacology, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Journal of Ethnopharmacology, Phytomedicine Plus, Scientific Reports, Cancers, Current Oncology and Microorganisms.