Laetrile Toxicity: A Report of Two Cases

To the Editor.— Laetrile (amygdalin), unproved as a remedy for cancer,1has been advocated by proponents as, at worst, a nontoxic placebo. We report two cases of laetrile-associated toxic reactions and challenge the present claims of safety. Report of Cases.— Case1.—A 48-year-old woman with lymphoma diagnosed in 1965 began taking laetrile in Mexico in February 1977. On her return to the United States she continued taking laetrile, 6 mg intravenously each week and 500-mg tablets orally three times a day. On April 25 she was admitted to Georgetown University Hospital with fever, malaise, headache, and severe abdominal cramps. She had a temperature of 38.8 °C, a diffuse macular erythematous rash, marked lymphadenopathy and hepatosplenomegaly, and abdominal tenderness without peritoneal signs. Cultures were obtained, and laetrile therapy was discontinued. Her symptoms cleared in two days; cultures were negative for pathogens. Against our advice she resumed the above regimen of