SynthesisThe Cochrane database of systematic reviews2015
Laetrile treatment for cancer.
Synthesis in The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 76 citations in OpenAlex.
- Exploring biologically-based complementary and alternative medicine use among Irish cancer survivors: findings from a national survey.The oncologist · 2026Article
- Regulation of mammalian cellular metabolism by endogenous cyanide production.Nature metabolism · 2025Article
- New and Emerging Oral/Topical Small-Molecule Treatments for Psoriasis.Pharmaceutics · 2024Review
- The two faces of cyanide: an environmental toxin and a potential novel mammalian gasotransmitter.The FEBS journal · 2022Review
- Impact of intestinal microbiota on metabolic toxicity and potential detoxification of amygdalin.Frontiers in microbiology · 2022Article
- Toxicity of herbal medications suggested as treatment for COVID-19: A narrative review.Journal of the American College of Emergency Physicians open · 2021Review
- Amygdalin promotes the activity of T cells to suppress the progression of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma via the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.BMC infectious diseases · 2021Article
- Article
- Biologically-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use in Cancer Patients: The Good, the Bad, the Misunderstood.Frontiers in nutrition · 2019Review
- Effects of commercially produced almond by-products on chemotherapy-induced mucositis in rats.World journal of gastrointestinal pathophysiology · 2017Article
- Physician Beware: Severe Cyanide Toxicity from Amygdalin Tablets Ingestion.Case reports in emergency medicine · 2017Article
Corrections and comments
- Update of
Authors and funding
2 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundLaetrile is the name for a semi-synthetic compound which is chemically related to amygdalin, a cyanogenic glycoside from the kernels of apricots and various other species of the genus Prunus. Laetrile and amygdalin are promoted under various names for the treatment of cancer although there is no evidence for its efficacy. Due to possible cyanide poisoning, laetrile can be dangerous.
objectivesTo assess the alleged anti-cancer effect and possible adverse effects of laetrile and amygdalin. SEARCH
methodsWe searched the following databases: CENTRAL (2014, Issue 9); MEDLINE (1951-2014); EMBASE (1980-2014); AMED; Scirus; CINAHL (all from 1982-2015); CAMbase (from 1998-2015); the MetaRegister; the National Research Register; and our own files. We examined reference lists of included studies and review articles and we contacted experts in the field for knowledge of additional studies. We did not impose any restrictions of timer or language. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We searched eight databases and two registers for studies testing laetrile or amygdalin for the treatment of cancer. Two review authors screened and assessed articles for inclusion criteria. MAIN
resultsWe located over 200 references, 63 were evaluated in the original review, 6 in the 2011 and none in this update. However, we did not identify any studies that met our inclusion criteria. AUTHORS'
conclusionsThe claims that laetrile or amygdalin have beneficial effects for cancer patients are not currently supported by sound clinical data. There is a considerable risk of serious adverse effects from cyanide poisoning after laetrile or amygdalin, especially after oral ingestion. The risk-benefit balance of laetrile or amygdalin as a treatment for cancer is therefore unambiguously negative.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.