1. Plural of laetrile; compounds derived from amygdalin (found in apricot pits and other plants) that were promoted as an alternative cancer treatment, though not approved by the FDA and lacking scientific evidence of efficacy.
Usage: medical/alternative medicine context; often used in discussions of unproven or controversial treatments; also known as amygdalin or vitamin B17 in alternative medicine circles

Examples

• Laetriles were heavily marketed in the 1970s as a cure for cancer despite lack of scientific support.
• The FDA banned the interstate sale of laetriles because they had not been proven safe or effective.
• Some patients turned to laetriles when conventional treatments failed to work.
• Medical organizations warn against using laetriles as a substitute for proven cancer therapies.
• Laetriles can be toxic because they may break down into cyanide in the body.