A Clinical Trial of Amygdalin (Laetrile) in the Treatment of Human Cancer

Abstract

One hundred seventy-eight patients with cancer were treated with amygdalin (Laetrile) plus a "metabolic therapy" program consisting of diet, enzymes, and vitamins. The great majority of these patients were in good general condition before treatment. None was totally disabled or in preterminal condition. One third had not received any previous chemotherapy. The pharmaceutical preparations of amygdalin, the dosage, and the schedule were representative of past and present Laetrile practice. No substantive benefit was observed in terms of cure, improvement or stabilization of cancer, improvement of symptoms related to cancer, or extension of life span. The hazards of amygdalin therapy were evidenced in several patients by symptoms of cyanide toxicity or by blood cyanide levels approaching the lethal range. Patients exposed to this agent should be instructed about the danger of cyanide poisoning, and their blood cyanide levels should be carefully monitored. Amygdalin (Laetrile) is a toxic drug that is not effective as a cancer treatment.

Complementary and Alternative Therapies for Cancer

“…Many additional unproven methods, such as Laetrile [55,56], bioresonance therapy, oxygen and ozone therapies, insulin potentiation therapy, and many more [26], are promoted as literal alternatives to mainstream cancer treatment. Their popularities wax and wane over time.…”

Tripterygium Wilfordii Extract (Triptolide) and Amygdalin Promotes Cell death in Cancer Cells: True or a Myth

“…The antioxidant properties of apricot kernels extract were evaluated by determining radical scavenging power; lipid peroxidation inhibition activity and total phenol content measured with a DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, via electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) signals, the thiocyanate method and the Folin method. [45,46,47,48] On contrary, the extracts of the bitter kernels, both the water and methanol extracts of sweet kernels have been proved to be associated with antioxidant efficacy. [45,46,47,48] The maximum percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation (69%) and the total phenolic content were detected in the methanol extract and in the water extract of the same cultivar of sweet kernels (Hasanbey).…”

“…[45,46,47,48] On contrary, the extracts of the bitter kernels, both the water and methanol extracts of sweet kernels have been proved to be associated with antioxidant efficacy. [45,46,47,48] The maximum percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation (69%) and the total phenolic content were detected in the methanol extract and in the water extract of the same cultivar of sweet kernels (Hasanbey). [45,46,47,48] Antimicrobial activities against human pathogenic microorganisms were also tested using the above extracts by a disc-diffusion method.…”

“…[45,46,47,48] The maximum percent inhibition of lipid peroxidation (69%) and the total phenolic content were detected in the methanol extract and in the water extract of the same cultivar of sweet kernels (Hasanbey). [45,46,47,48] Antimicrobial activities against human pathogenic microorganisms were also tested using the above extracts by a disc-diffusion method.…”

Dietary Supplement Use in Cancer Care: Help or Harm

“…When alternative therapies were used as first-line treatment in a group of 33 women with breast cancer, early death and higher rates of recurrence were reported [23]. Furthermore, when tested in rigorous clinical trials, all ''natural cancer cures'' examined so far, such as shark cartilage [24,25], either have shown no benefit or, in the case of others such as laetrile [26], were found to be both ineffective and toxic. Fortunately, even for patients with advanced disease, most (88%) receive CAM care concurrently with conventional treatment [27] and it is the minority (8% in one study) who choose solely alternative cancer care [28].…”