|
Overall Level of Evidence for Laetrile/Amygdalin
To assist readers in evaluating the results of human studies of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)
treatments for cancer, the strength of the evidence (i.e., the levels of
evidence) associated with each type of treatment is provided whenever
possible. To qualify for a level of evidence analysis, a study must:
- Be published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
- Report on a therapeutic outcome or outcomes, such as tumor response, improvement in survival, or measured improvement in quality of life.
- Describe clinical findings in sufficient detail that a meaningful evaluation can be made.
Separate levels of evidence scores are assigned to qualifying human studies on the basis of statistical strength of the study design and scientific strength of the treatment outcomes (i.e., endpoints) measured. The resulting two scores are then combined to produce an overall score. A table showing the levels of evidence scores for qualifying human studies cited in this summary is presented below. For an explanation of the scores and additional information about levels of evidence analysis of CAM treatments for cancer, refer to Levels of Evidence for Human Studies of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Laetrile/Amygdalin Summary: Reference
Numbers and the Corresponding Levels of Evidence
|
Reference
Number
|
Statistical Strength of Study Design
|
Strength of Endpoints
Measured
|
Combined Score
|
| [1] |
3iii Nonconsecutive case series |
Diii Indirect surrogates -- tumor response rate |
3iiiDiii |
| [2] |
3iii Nonconsecutive case series |
Diii Indirect surrogates -- tumor response rate |
3iiiDiii |
| [3] |
3iii Nonconsecutive case series |
Diii Indirect surrogates -- tumor response rate |
3iiiDiii |
| [4] |
4 Best case series |
Not applicable |
4 |
| [5] |
4 Best case series |
Not applicable |
4 |
| [6] |
4 Best case series |
Not applicable |
4 |
| [7] |
3iii Nonconsecutive case series |
Diii Indirect surrogates -- tumor response rate |
3iiiDiii |
References
-
Moertel CG, Fleming TR, Rubin J, et al.: A clinical trial of amygdalin (Laetrile) in the treatment of human cancer. N Engl J Med 306 (4): 201-6, 1982.
[PUBMED Abstract]
-
Kochi M, Takeuchi S, Mizutani T, et al.: Antitumor activity of benzaldehyde. Cancer Treat Rep 64 (1): 21-3, 1980.
[PUBMED Abstract]
-
Kochi M, Isono N, Niwayama M, et al.: Antitumor activity of a benzaldehyde derivative. Cancer Treat Rep 69 (5): 533-7, 1985.
[PUBMED Abstract]
-
Cancer Commission of the California Medical Association.: The treatment of cancer with "laetriles". Calif Med 78 (4): 320-26, 1953.
-
Navarro MD: Five years experience with laetrile therapy in advanced cancer. Acta Unio Int Contr Cancrum 15(suppl 1): 209-21, 1959.
-
Morrone JA: Chemotherapy of inoperable cancer: preliminary report of 10 cases treated with laetrile. Exp Med Surg 20: 299-308, 1962.
-
Moertel CG, Ames MM, Kovach JS, et al.: A pharmacologic and toxicological study of amygdalin. JAMA 245 (6): 591-4, 1981.
[PUBMED Abstract]
 Back to Top
< Previous Section | Next Section > |
