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Antitumor tests of amygdalin in spontaneous animal tumor systems
Abstract:
In a series of 6 experiments with CD8F1 mice with spontaneous mammary adenocarcinomas Sugiura noted by macrovisual observation with some histology an overall average of 21% of mice with lung metastases when treated with 1,000--2,000 mg/kg/day of amygdalin compared with 90% of the control mice. The significance attributed to those early observations is seriously challenged by the negative findings of 3 independent investigators, by 2 out of 3 negative cooperative experiments in which Sugiura participated, and particularly by the blind experiment in which he and others under blind readings found no anticancer activity. Treatment of Swiss albino mice showed no destructive effect upon their spontaneous mammary adenocarcinomas. Of the treated mice, 22% were found by macrovisual observation to have lung metastases while 91% were noted among the controls. The results are subject to questions raised in the discussion. Amygdalin at 2,000 mg/kg/day was ineffective both in treating and preventing the development of spontaneous leukemia in AKR mice. At 1,000 mg/kg/day it was not found effective in preventing or significantly delaying the development of spontaneous mammary tumors in CD8F1 mice. In summary, we do not have evidence to support taking amygdalin to clinical trial, although other considerations may require that one be conducted.
Insights
Amygdalin showed limited effectiveness against spontaneous mammary tumors and leukemia in mice. Further clinical trials are not supported by current evidence, though other factors may warrant them.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Animal Models
Background:
- Spontaneous mammary adenocarcinomas and leukemia are common in specific mouse strains.
- Amygdalin has been investigated for potential anticancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of amygdalin in treating and preventing spontaneous mammary tumors and leukemia in mice.
- To assess the anticancer activity of amygdalin based on previous observations and subsequent investigations.
Main Methods:
- Experiments were conducted using CD8F1 mice with spontaneous mammary adenocarcinomas and AKR mice with spontaneous leukemia.
- Mice were treated with varying doses of amygdalin (1,000--2,000 mg/kg/day).
- Tumor development, lung metastases, and leukemia incidence were assessed through macrovisual observation and histology.
Main Results:
- Amygdalin treatment resulted in 21-22% of mice with lung metastases compared to 90-91% in controls for mammary tumors.
- Subsequent investigations, including blind experiments and cooperative studies, failed to confirm significant anticancer activity.
- Amygdalin was ineffective in treating or preventing spontaneous leukemia in AKR mice and did not prevent mammary tumors in CD8F1 mice.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the clinical use of amygdalin for cancer treatment.
- The initial positive observations regarding amygdalin's efficacy were contradicted by multiple independent studies.
- Further considerations may necessitate clinical trials, but robust evidence for efficacy is lacking.