FBI, FDA raids Tulsa alternative cancer treatment center

A south Tulsa alternative cancer center remains closed because of a Food and Drug Administration investigation.

KRMG contacted the FDA, but was told that the "FDA doesn't comment on ongoing investigations."

Jail records confirm that Michael McDonnough was arrested for assault and battery on a police officer and possessing a firearm in the commission of a felony.

McDonnough is accused of entering the Camelot Cancer Care facility on Tuesday and trying to remove a computer.

The American Cancer Society says Laetrile is a chemically modified form of amygdalin, a naturally-occurring substance found mainly in the kernels of apricots, peaches and almonds.

However, the terms amygdalin and Laetrile are often used interchangeably.

The name Laetrile is also used to describe a closely related and partly man-made substance.

Laetrile and amygdalin are promoted as alternative cancer treatments.

The American Cancer Society tells us available scientific evidence does not support claims that Laetrile or amygdalin is effective in treating cancer or any other disease.

Both contain a small amount of a substance that can be converted to cyanide in the body and several cases of cyanide poisoning have been linked to the use of Laetrile.

The FDA has not approved Laetrile as a medical treatment in the United States.