For selected stages of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), standard treatment involves radiation therapy and chemotherapy. The chemotherapy regimen typically used is paclitaxel and carboplatin. Both of these chemotherapeutic drugs are administered intravenously, using a vein in the arm. Radiation is administered using a machine external to the body (usually a linear accelerator). After combined therapy, NSCLC patients receive 2 extra cycles of chemotherapy, called consolidation chemotherapy.~This study adds 75 grams of ascorbate (vitamin C, sometimes called pharmacological ascorbate because the dose is so high) at specific timepoints in the therapy. The ascorbate is administered intravenously - through a vein in your arm.~Participants will:~receive 75 grams of intravenous ascorbate 3 times per calendar week while they are receiving radiation therapy. The IV will be running while the radiation therapy is administered.~undergo imaging which is standard for their cancer and therapy. This can include CT scans, PET scans, and X-rays.~provide blood samples to determine the biological effects, if any, the ascorbate has on the body during therapy~This active therapy portion lasts for about 10 to 12 weeks. After that is done, participants go back to standard follow-up for their cancer and any additional therapy their doctors believe they need.~However, it is very important the investigators remain in contact with participants; they will have life-long follow-up for this study.
This clinical trial evaluates adding high-dose ascorbate (vitamin C) to a standard therapy for non-small cell lung cancer. The standard therapy is radiation therapy combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel (types of chemotherapy). All subjects will receive high-dose ascorbate in addition to the standard therapy.