Green Tea’s Anti-Prostate Cancer Potential Gains More Support
Lee Swanson Research Update
Consuming green tea may reduce levels of compounds linked to prostate cancer progression, according to findings of a small study that included 26 men with prostate cancer.
A concentrated extract, consumed daily for an average of 34 days, was associated with significant reductions in the blood levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEF) and prostate specific antigen (PSA), results from the Louisiana State University (LSU) study show.
The new study, published online in Cancer Prevention Research, reports the effects of a green tea extract containing 800 mg of EGCG (epigallocatechin-3-gallate) and lesser amounts of epicatechin, epigallocatechin and epicatechin-3-gallate. The total tea polyphenol dose was 1.3 grams.
"The investigational agent used in the trial may have the potential to lower the incidence and slow the progression of prostate cancer," said lead researcher, Professor James Cardelli.
The LSU researchers recruited 26 men, aged between 41 and 72. The men all had diagnosed prostate cancer and were scheduled for radical prostatectomy. The men consumed four capsules per day of the green tea extract, equivalent to 12 cups of tea, until the day before surgery. The average supplementation period was 34.5 days.
Findings showed a significant reduction in serum levels of HGF, VEGF and PSA after treatment, with some patients demonstrating reductions in levels of greater than 30%, according to the researchers.
"Our results show a significant reduction in serum levels of PSA, HGF and VEGF in men with prostate cancer after brief treatment with EGCG, with no elevation of liver enzymes," wrote the researchers.
The researchers are reportedly continuing their study in this area with an investigation into why some patients responded better than others. Cardelli suggested that additional controlled clinical trials should be done to see if combinations of different plant polyphenols were more effective.
"There is reasonably good evidence that many cancers are preventable, and our studies using plant-derived substances support the idea that plant compounds found in a healthy diet can play a role in preventing cancer development and progression," said Cardelli.
Cancer Prevention Research Published online ahead of print.