Laetrile is a cyanide-generating compound associated with alternative cancer treatments. Ernst T Krebs Jr popularized laetrile, and believed it worked by poisoning cancer cells, because they express beta-glucuronidase which activates laetrile to release cyanide. Cyanide is normally detoxified by the Rhodanese system.
Ray Peat noted that beta-glucuronidase also re-activates estrogen.
Laetrile is the the semisynthetic "glucuronide form" of amygdalin which is the "glucose form" naturally found in apricot seeds. The glucose form poisons the intestine before it has activity on the cancer, creating a tendency for sepsis and not even treating the cancer.
Ray Peat talks about Laetrile in two interviews
Approximately 30:44 to 36:13 Dr. Peat and Patrick talk about Dr. Ralph W. Moss, Ernst T. Krebs, and laetrile. Were there two laetriles? Was one a poison and the other a cancer cure? Dr. Peat did his own research on laetrile. What he discovered may surprise you.
Approximately 4:00 to 10:46 Dr. Peat was asked about the trophoblast theory of cancer. The theory was behind the laetrile treatment.