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Original Article Open Access

Relationship of Serum Ascorbic Acid and CRP Levels in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients in the Medan City Population

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Annals of Medicine and Medical Sciences Volume 04 (2025), Version 10 August 15, 2025 pp. 894 - 898
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Abstract

Background: Lung cancer is the third-leading cause of death in cancer patients among both men and women in Indonesia. About 80% of lung cancer types are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). C-reactive protein is a protein that is produced by the liver and is known as a marker of ongoing inflammation, including malignancy. Many studies have shown the susceptibility of cancer cells, especially to high doses of ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Objective: This study was to determine the relationship between ascorbic acid and CRP serum levels in NSCLC patients in Medan City, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Methods: This study was an observational analysis of NSCLC patients from January to April 2023 with a cross-sectional method. There were 53 NSCLC patients enrolled in this study. Vitamin C and CRP serum levels were measured by a single blood sample, with vitamin C levels measured using a manual ELISA kit (BT Lab, China) and CRP quantitative levels using an immunoassay. The data was analyzed using the Spearman Correlation Test. Results: 53 subjects found more males than females (85%), with 37 patients undergoing cancer treatment. All the patients had vitamin C deficiency (< 0.2 mg/dL), with the highest value of 0.05 mg/dL and the lowest of 0.0001 mg/dL. 32 patients (60.37%) had a high CRP value (≥ 5 mg/dL), with the highest value of 7 mg/dL and the lowest value being 0.3 mg/dL. Higher CRP levels were more common in patients with on treatment and history of smoking. This study found that there was no relationship between CRP and vitamin C serum levels in NSCLC patients (r2 = 0.0034, p >0.05). Conclusion: There is no relationship between vitamin C and CRP serum levels in NSCLC patients among the Medan city population.

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