Remission of Biopsy-Proven Prostate-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma after Failed Chemo and XRT Using Amygdalin (B17), and Bitter Apricot Kernels: A Documented Case Report with Patient Testimony

Qaisar J Qayyum MD
Sep 27
7 min read

Updated: Sep 29

Dr. Qaisar J. Qayyum

Chief Editor, Noor Journal of Complementary and Contemporary Medicine, Clinical Assistant Professor, Oklahoma, USA. Email: chiefeditor@njccm.org

Original Case Report

Abstract

Background: Amygdalin (laetrile, “vitamin B17”), derived from bitter apricot kernels, has long been controversial in oncology. Although dismissed by conventional guidelines, patients continue to report unexpected recoveries.

Case Presentation: We report the case of Mr. A.S., a U.S. patient with biopsy-proven, high-grade, muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma with prostatic extension, which clinically, he believed he had “prostate cancer”. Following recurrence in 2018 despite chemotherapy and radiotherapy, his doctors offered radical surgery, which would remove both bladder and prostate. He declined radical cystoprostatectomy and adopted an alternative regimen of bitter apricot kernels, amygdalin (B17) tablets, and a strict vegetarian, sugar-free diet. Over six years of follow-up, repeated PET/CT scans documented complete remission, with normalization of hematology and chemistry labs.

Methods: Data were collected via direct patient interview, review of his Urdu video testimony on YouTube [1], and partial review of oncology notes, labs, and imaging reports. Not all laboratory results were available.

Conclusion: This case illustrates durable remission of a poor-prognosis malignancy, highlighting the need for unbiased investigation of amygdalin therapy and transparency regarding suppressed historical evidence [2,3].

Introduction

Muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma with prostatic extension is an aggressive disease, frequently requiring radical cystoprostatectomy after recurrence. Patient survival is limited, and treatment options beyond chemotherapy and radiotherapy are few.

Amygdalin (laetrile, “vitamin B17”), a cyanogenic glycoside most concentrated in bitter apricot kernels, is also naturally found in bitter almonds, peach pits, apple seeds, cherries, and plums. Its widespread occurrence in seeds explains its use in folk remedies long before its controversial promotion in modern oncology. In the mid-20th century, amygdalin was popularized as an anti-cancer agent, but mainstream oncology dismissed it as ineffective [3].

However, historical evidence — including positive findings at Sloan Kettering later buried under institutional pressure [2,8] — and anecdotal patient testimonies continue to suggest possible benefit.

The case of Mr. A.S. is particularly notable. Biopsy confirmed urothelial carcinoma with extension into the prostate, yet the patient himself understood it as “prostate cancer.” Later, he was told the surgical plan would remove both prostate and bladder. This dual framing reflects both histological accuracy and patient experience.

Case Presentation

Patient: Mr. A.S., 71 y/o male, USA.

Information Sources: Direct telephone interview, Urdu YouTube testimony [1], and available oncology records. Not all laboratory results were accessible.

Diagnosis (March 2016): Biopsy-confirmed high-grade, muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma with prostatic extension. Clinically, the patient believed he had prostate cancer, and that believe later was solidified since he was offered surgery, which would have included removal of both bladder and prostate.

Initial Treatment (2016): Four cycles of gemcitabine + carboplatin (Sept–Nov).

Recurrence (April 2018): PET/CT revealed a 6.3 × 5.5 cm hypermetabolic pelvic mass adjacent to prostate, with multiple pelvic lymph nodes. Radical cystoprostatectomy was recommended; patient refused.

Additional Therapy (May–July 2018): Pelvic radiotherapy with weekly cisplatin.

Cystoscopy (Aug 2018): Inflammation of prostatic urethra, no mass.

Alternative Regimen (September 2018):

Bitter apricot kernels: ~30/day in 5 divided doses (7,7,7,5,4) x 12 months, reduced to 20/day for few months, then to 10/day for few months. Currently taking 5 daily.
Amygdalin tablets: 500 mg, 3 times/day × 1 year, tapered to ½ tablet daily, still continuing.

Vegetarian, sugar-free diet, one teaspoon olive oil twice/day.

Product Source:

The patient obtained his B17 (amygdalin) tablets from Cytopharma (www.cytopharma.com), and used bitter apricot kernels purchased via Amazon (link). These were taken consistently along with dietary modifications.

Follow-up Imaging: PET/CTs (Jan 2019, Jul 2020, Mar 2023, Sept 2024) documented complete remission, no recurrence or metastases.

Latest Labs (Sept 2024): WBC 7.0 × 10³/μL, Hgb 16.2 g/dL, Platelets 188 × 10³/μL, CMP normal.

Side Effects: Bitter taste, transient hypotension, asthenia, reduced appetite. No persistent toxicity noted.

Current Status (2025): Alive, cancer-free, active (ECOG 0: fully active, no restrictions).

Mechanism of Action of Amygdalin (B17)

Natural Occurrence: Amygdalin is a cyanogenic glycoside naturally present in various seeds and kernels such as apricot kernels, bitter almonds, apple seeds, peach pits, and plum kernels. Its content in seeds varies widely, e.g. Bolarinwa et al. quantified up to 17.5 mg/g in some Rosaceae species (14)

Enzymatic Activation:Amygdalin can be hydrolyzed by β-glucosidase, releasing hydrogen cyanide, benzaldehyde, and glucose. Tumor tissues may express higher β-glucosidase activity, enhancing local cyanide release, while normal tissues detoxify via rhodanese [3,4,6].

Cytotoxicity:Hydrogen cyanide inhibits cytochrome oxidase, impairing oxidative phosphorylation and leading to apoptosis.

Benzaldehyde Contribution:Benzaldehyde may contribute to cytotoxicity by promoting oxidative stress in malignant cells [5].

Metabolic Context:The patient’s strict sugar-free diet could enhance selectivity, because many tumors rely heavily on glycolysis (the Warburg effect) [4,5].

Discussion

Mr. A.S.’s case demonstrates a prolonged remission in the setting of a poor-prognosis malignancy. While causality cannot be definitively proven, the close temporal association between the initiation of amygdalin therapy and the subsequent remission challenges the absolute dismissal of this agent [3–6]. In the absence of financial incentives, and given the durability of the response, common sense suggests that the alternative regimen likely contributed meaningfully, unless one attributes the outcome solely to a rare spontaneous remission, statistical chance, or divine intervention.

Sloan Kettering Suppression

The 1977 Sloan Kettering controversy, highlighted in The Lie of America’s War on Cancer [2], revealed how positive experimental results with amygdalin, reported by Dr. Kanematsu Sugiura, were obscured within a “negative” overall conclusion [8].

“Every experiment that was done that came out positive had to be redone and retested… Sloan Kettering did something incredibly clever. They took his positive data and embedded it into the negative paper… They told him: ‘We’re going to have an overall negative conclusion, but to represent your position, we’ll put your data into the paper.’”

This episode illustrates how institutional bias and external pressures can distort the scientific record and delay serious inquiry into potentially beneficial therapies.

Quality of Life Considerations

Standard management at recurrence would have required radical cystoprostatectomy, removing both bladder and prostate with permanent urinary diversion. Instead, the patient retained both organs, remained disease-free, and experienced only minor adverse effects from amygdalin therapy. For patients whose conventional choices are limited to severely mutilating surgery, poor quality of life, or death, investigating alternative approaches should not be dismissed; it represents a rational and humane option.

Safety Considerations

At the same time, it is essential to acknowledge safety concerns. According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute [3], the side effects of laetrile/amygdalin mirror cyanide poisoning and may include liver damage, neuropathy leading to difficulty walking, fever, coma, and even death. Laetrile is not approved for use in the United States. These warnings underscore the importance of careful monitoring and balanced risk–benefit assessment when considering patient reports such as that of Mr. A.S.

Broader Evidence in Other Cancers

Beyond urothelial carcinoma, experimental evidence suggests that amygdalin may exert anticancer effects across multiple malignancies. Christodoulou et al. reported that when combined with cisplatin, amygdalin enhanced cytotoxicity in breast cancer cell lines while simultaneously protecting normal breast epithelial cells and fibroblasts. This selective action points to a potential chemoprotective role that could help preserve quality of life during chemotherapy [4].

In a murine breast cancer model, Mageid and Abdel-Rahman et al. demonstrated that amygdalin, administered alone or with tamoxifen, suppressed tumor biomarkers, strengthened antioxidant defenses, and activated apoptotic pathways, notably caspase-3 and p53 [11]. Complementing these findings, Zhu et al. reviewed broader data showing that amygdalin can induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in a range of cancers, including lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, cervical, and gastrointestinal tumors, largely through Bax/Bcl-2 modulation and mitochondrial signaling pathways [12].

Research is also exploring novel delivery methods. Encapsulation approaches, including alginate-chitosan nanoparticles (ACNPs), are under investigation to enhance tumor-specific delivery of amygdalin while reducing systemic cyanide exposure [13]. Together, these studies suggest that amygdalin’s therapeutic potential may extend well beyond prostate-invasive urothelial carcinoma, justifying deeper investigation across oncology.

Appendix — Selected Medical Record Excerpts

Oncology Note (2018): “Large hypermetabolic pelvic mass near right prostate gland… multiple pelvic lymph nodes.”
Cystoscopy (2018): “Inflammation in prostatic urethra but no mass.”
Lab (2016): WBC 2.5, Hgb 8.0, Plt 121.
Lab (Sept 2024): WBC 7.0, Hgb 16.2, Plt 188, CMP normal.
CT (Sept 2024): No recurrence or metastasis.

Acknowledgment:

This article was written with AI assistance. All claims are supported by credible, peer-reviewed references, which were validated for accuracy and authenticity. The AI synthesized information were reviewed by authors, ensuring scientific integrity throughout. In the event of any inadvertent errors, the responsibility lies with the AI/authors, and corrections will be made promptly upon identification. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Dr Tahira Khalid, for her thoughtful review and invaluable feedback. Her expertise and guidance have played a pivotal role in refining and enhancing this article.

Conflict of Interest Statement:

The author is the developer of a herbal formula and the owner of Dr. Q Formula/Insulinn LLC. However, this affiliation has not influenced the content, analysis, or conclusions of this article

Author’s Note on Scope and Intent:

This article does not advocate the replacement of evidence-based conventional care modalities. All complementary interventions are intended to supplement, not supplant, standard clinical practice, and are implemented within a physician-governed, ethically reviewed, and fully documented medical framework.

References

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