YOU ARE NOW CONNECTED TO THE TOXLINE (1981 FORWARD, NON-ROYALTY) FILE. ==LAETRILE CANCER-TREATMENT== 1 TITLE Unproven methods of cancer management. Laetrile. SOURCE CA Cancer J Clin; VOL 41, ISS 3, 1991, P187-92 (REF: 35) ABSTRACT "Laetrile" is used interchangeably with "amygdalin" to designate natural substances, derived primarily from apricots and almonds, that can release cyanide, which is lethal to living organisms. In the 1920s, Dr. Ernst T. Krebs, Sr., formulated a theory that amygdalin could kill cancer cells. His theory was inconsistent with biochemical facts and has since been modified at least twice by his son, Ernst T. Krebs, Jr. Extensive work has been done by cancer scientists to test the claim that Laetrile fights cancer. Many animal experiments in the 1970s showed a complete lack of tumor killing by Laetrile. Reviews of the medical records of patients whose cancers were claimed to be reduced or cured after Laetrile treatment found insufficient medical evidence to judge Laetrile's efficacy. Finally, in a clinical trial in cancer patients reported in 1982, Laetrile neither caused shrinkage of tumors, nor increased survival time, nor alleviated cancer symptoms, nor enhanced well-being. Several reports in the medical literature document instances in which Laetrile has caused serious, life-threatening toxicity when taken in large doses in the manner prescribed by Laetrile advocates. In light of the lack of efficacy of Laetrile and its demonstrated ability to cause harm, Laetrile should not be used to treat cancer. 5 AUTHOR Chandler RF AUTHOR Anderson LA AUTHOR Phillipson JD TITLE Laetrile in perspective SOURCE Can. Pharm. J.; VOL 117 ISS Nov 1984, P517-520, (REF 53) ABSTRACT IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP A review of recent literature dealing with laetrile considering its sources, chemistry, metabolism, claims for efficacy, and toxicity, is presented. Evidence shows laetrile is neither safe nor effective. Laetrile may be a carcinogen and therapy may shorten the patient's life expectancy. ABSTRACT IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP A review of the literature on laetrile is presented covering its chemical composition and structure, proposed mechanism of action in the treatment of cancer, effectiveness, side effects and chronic intoxication, and the questionable lack of quality control observed in the analysis of the commercial samples of tablet and injectable preparations. The chemical composition and structure of amygdalin, prunasin, and mandelonitrile are also given. Evidence to date shows that laetrile is neither safe nor effective in the treatment of cancer. 12 AUTHOR Moertel CG AUTHOR Fleming TR AUTHOR Rubin J AUTHOR Kvols LK AUTHOR Sarna G AUTHOR Koch R AUTHOR Currie VE AUTHOR Young CW AUTHOR Jones SE AUTHOR Davignon JP TITLE A clinical trial of amygdalin (Laetrile) in the treatment of human cancer. SOURCE N Engl J Med; VOL 306, ISS 4, 1982, P201-6 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. ABSTRACT IPA COPYRIGHT: ASHP The effects of IV and oral laetrile (I) plus a metabolic therapy program, consisting of pancreatin (Viokase), vitamins and a diet, in the therapy of 178 cancer patients (age range, 18-84 yr), were investigated. DL-Amygdalin was used for the IV therapy, administered in 21 daily injections at a daily dose of 4.5 g/sq m either on consecutive days (121 patients) or during weekdays only (57 patients). Afterward, oral maintenance I therapy was given at a dose of 0.5 g, 3 times daily. The vitamins were given in high doses, and the enzymes, in doses of 12 tablets/day. A smaller group of patients (15) was treated with an extremely high dose program. Results showed that 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. Several patients exhibited symptoms of cyanide toxicity or blood cyanide levels approaching the lethal range. 4 AUTHOR Moertel CG AUTHOR Ames MM AUTHOR Kovach JS AUTHOR Moyer TP AUTHOR Rubin JR AUTHOR Tinker JH TITLE A pharmacologic and toxicological study of amygdalin. SOURCE JAMA; VOL 245, ISS 6, 1981, P591-4 ABSTRACT Six patients with advanced cancer were treated with amygdalin (laetrile) at dosages similar to those employed by laetrile practitioners. Amygdalin given intravenously at 4.5 g/sq m/day was largely excreted unchanged in the urine and produced no clinical or laboratory evidence of toxic reaction. Amygdalin given orally at 0.5 g three times daily produced significant blood cyanide levels to 2.1 microgram/mL. No clinical or laboratory evidence of toxic reaction was seen in the six patients taking oral amygdalin at this dosage. One patient, however, challenged with a large intake of raw almonds, had transient symptoms of cyanide toxic reaction with escalating blood cyanide levels. This small study indicates that amygdalin in the doses employed produces few clinical side effects. A definite hazard of cyanide toxic reaction must be assumed, however, and possible long-term side effects remain unknown. 6 AUTHOR Pendergrass TW AUTHOR Davis S TITLE Knowledge and use of "alternative" cancer therapies in children. SOURCE Am J Pediatr Hematol Oncol; VOL 3, ISS 4, 1981, P339-45 ABSTRACT Because of the increased interest in laetrile and other "alternative" cancer therapies among cancer patients and the lack of data concerning knowledge and use of such treatments in childhood cancer, parents of children diagnosed with cancer in 1977 and 1978 at a major pediatric oncology center were surveyed. Eight different "alternative" therapies or groups were known by 50% of parents. Seventeen of 106 children had received an "alternative" cancer treatment. News media were the most frequent initial information source. Accuracy of knowledge of toxic effects of laetrile was poor, with only 26.4% realizing poisoning was possible. Parents who felt desperation in their search for a cure and were looking for an easier treatment method, and those who were dissatisfied with their role in making treatment decisions, appeared at greatest risk of seeking "alternative" therapies. Over 56% of parents wanted more information about cancer and its treatment, with written information favored by almost 40%. 3 TITLE Questionable cancer practices in Tijuana and other Mexican border clinics. SOURCE CA Cancer J Clin; VOL 41, ISS 5, 1991, P310-9 (REF: 72) ABSTRACT Tijuana, Mexico, has become a refuge for cancer patients who have been convinced that they may be cured of their terminal illness by unconventional, unproved, and disproved methods offered in the border clinics. About a dozen United States promoters have joined with Mexican colleagues to offer a variety of treatments. Some patients are diagnosed using standard methods prior to arrival at the clinics, but many healthy individuals are misdiagnosed as having cancer or "precancer" and are then treated there. Others are told they have been cured or are improving even though they still have active disease. The modalities and regimens used are often referred to as "metabolic therapy" and, for the most part, are either not based on sound scientific principles or have been shown in controlled clinical trials to be useless or even dangerous. A basic metabolic regimen consists of three phases: detoxification with fasting and bowel cleansing, strengthening the immune system with numerous "supplements," and attacking cancer with "natural and non-toxic" chemicals. Popular treatments include injections of hydrogen peroxide, large quantities of pressed liver and carrot juice, coffee enemas, infusions of Laetrile mixed with massive doses of vitamins and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), special diets, and a host of other pseudoscientific regimens. Unfortunately, no evidence exists that any of these modalities is more effective than no treatment at all. Patients traveling to the Mexican border clinics for metabolic therapy are subjecting themselves to costly and hazardous regimens, especially if they forgo responsible medical care in the process. The American Cancer Society, therefore, strongly urges individuals with cancer not to seek treatment with metabolic therapies in the Mexican border clinics.