AMYGDALIN OR LAETRILE

Amygdalin

Amygdalin is a natural cyanide-containing substances abundant in prunasin family (apricots, apples, almonds, peaches). It is initially isolated from the seeds of the tree Prunus dulcis or bitter almonds in 1830, and its name is derived by the Greek word αμύγδαλο/amigdalo (almond). The metabolism of amygdalin produces hydrogen cyanide, a potent toxin The symptoms of poisoning include Nausea and vomiting, headache, dizziness, mental confusion, coma, death)

laetrile

Since the early 1950s, a modified form of amygdalin has been promoted under the names laetrile and "Vitamin B17,  as a cancer treatment although many studies have found that can cause cyanidine poisoning. In particular, D-amygdalin (D-mandelonitrile-β-D-gentiobioside) is known to exhibit selective killing effect on cancer cells via apoptosis procedure. Apoptosis, programmed cell death, is an important mechanism in cancer treatment but until now the claim that Laetrile has beneficial effects for cancer patients is not supported by data from controlled clinical trials. Untill now only a few studies on cell lines have proved a anticancer activity (Chang et al 2006). In a recent study (2010) Milazzo et al found in total 36 scientific reports and no controlled clinical trial ((trials that compare groups of patients who receive the new treatment to groups who do not). Three articles were nonconsecutive case series, 2 were consecutive case series, 6 were best case series, and 25 were case reports. None of these publications proved the effectiveness of laetrile. Therefore, the claim that laetrile has beneficial effects for cancer patients is not supported by until now by sound clinical data.

In contrast the promotion of laetrile to treat cancer has been described in the scientific literature as an example of quackery. The US Food and Drug Administration prohibited the interstate shipment of amygdalin and laetrile in 1977.

Shragg TA, Albertson TE, Fisher CJ (January 1982). "Cyanide poisoning after bitter almond ingestion". West. J. Med. 136 (1): 65–9.

Chang HK, Shin MS, Yang HY, Lee JW, Kim YS, Lee MH, Kim J, Kim KH, Kim CJ.Amygdalin induces apoptosis through regulation of Bax and Bcl-2 expressions in human DU145 and LNCaP prostate cancer cells.1. Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Aug;29(8):1597-602.

Milazzo S, Lejeune S, Ernst E. Laetrile for cancer: a systematic review of the clinical evidence. Support Care Cancer. 2007 Jun;15(6):583-95. Epub 2006 Nov 15.