laetrile
- n a substance derived from amygdalin; publicized as an antineoplastic drug although there is no supporting evidence
- And then in 1980, a dying and seemingly desperate Steve McQueen rode off into the sunset in Mexico while seeking laetrile treatments to cure his lung cancer.
- The Greens were determined to enroll Chad in a Tijuana clinic where he could receive laetrile, the controversial drug scorned by the medical establishment but touted by some cancer .
- Result: an epidemic of Internet snake oil, featuring discredited cancer "cures" like laetrile staging a comeback, $200 "second opinions" with more disclaimers than a sky-diving .