Roman A Blaheta1, Karen Nelson2, Axel Haferkamp3, Eva Juengel3. 1. Department of Urology, Goethe-University, Building 25A, Room 404, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Electronic address: blaheta@em.uni-frankfurt.de. 2. Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Goethe-University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. 3. Department of Urology, Goethe-University, Building 25A, Room 404, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The cyanogenic diglucoside, amygdalin, has gained high popularity among cancer patients together with, or in place of, conventional therapy. Still, evidence based research on amygdalin is sparse and its benefit controversial. PURPOSE: Since so many cancer patients consume amygdalin, and many clinicians administer it without clear knowledge of its mode of action, current knowledge has been summarized and the pros and cons of its use weighed. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted for amygdalin relevant reports using the PubMed database with the main search term "Amygdalin" or "laetrile", at times combined with "cancer", "patient", "cyanide" or "toxic". We did not exclude any "unwanted" articles. Additionally, internet sources authorized by governmental or national institutions have also been included. SECTIONS: Individual chapters summarize pharmacokinetics, preclinical and clinical studies and toxicity. CONCLUSION: No convincing evidence showing that amygdalin induces rapid, distinct tumor regression in cancer patients, particularly in those with late-stage disease, is apparent. However, there is also no evidence that purified amygdalin, administered in "therapeutic" dosage, causes toxicity. Multiple aspects of amygdalin administration have not yet been adequately explored, making further investigation necessary to evaluate its actual therapeutic potential.
BACKGROUND: The cyanogenic diglucoside, amygdalin, has gained high popularity among cancerpatients together with, or in place of, conventional therapy. Still, evidence based research on amygdalin is sparse and its benefit controversial. PURPOSE: Since so many cancerpatients consume amygdalin, and many clinicians administer it without clear knowledge of its mode of action, current knowledge has been summarized and the pros and cons of its use weighed. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted for amygdalin relevant reports using the PubMed database with the main search term "Amygdalin" or "laetrile", at times combined with "cancer", "patient", "cyanide" or "toxic". We did not exclude any "unwanted" articles. Additionally, internet sources authorized by governmental or national institutions have also been included. SECTIONS: Individual chapters summarize pharmacokinetics, preclinical and clinical studies and toxicity. CONCLUSION: No convincing evidence showing that amygdalin induces rapid, distinct tumor regression in cancerpatients, particularly in those with late-stage disease, is apparent. However, there is also no evidence that purified amygdalin, administered in "therapeutic" dosage, causes toxicity. Multiple aspects of amygdalin administration have not yet been adequately explored, making further investigation necessary to evaluate its actual therapeutic potential.
Authors: Eran Ben-Arye; Jamal Mahajna; Radi Aly; Mohammed Saleem Ali-Shtayeh; Yedidia Bentur; Efraim Lev; Gary Deng; Noah Samuels Journal: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol Date: 2016-05-07 Impact factor: 4.553