Researcher Dr James Cardelli of the Feist-Weiller Cancer Centre, Louisiana, stated that a green tea extract – epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) – with anti-oxidant properties can prove effective in slowing the progression of prostate cancer.
He added, “It may have the potential to lower the incidence and slow the progression of prostate cancer.”
The study
A study was conducted to find if polyphenon E capsules containing EGCG helped in lowering the levels of those proteins that are used by the tumors to grow and spread.
It included 26 men, aged 41 to 72 years, diagnosed with prostate cancer and about to undergo surgery. The patients were put on daily doses of 1.3 grams of polyphenon E capsules, equivalent to about 12 cups of normally brewed concentrated green tea.
The therapy lasted an average of 34.5 days and was stopped on the day of the surgery.
Serum was tested for hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). The liver function was also monitored.
The findings
The researchers observed a significant reduction in the three proteins associated with the growth and spread of prostate cancer.
On an average, HGF fell 18.9 percent, VEGF fell by 9.9 percent and PSA fell by 10.4 percent, while liver function remained normal. Some patients demonstrated reductions of more than 30 percent.
Caedelli declared that the study showed very few side effects and other biomarkers were “positively affected”.
The researchers concluded: "Our results show a significant reduction in serum levels of PSA, HGF, and VEGF in men with prostate cancer after brief treatment with EGCG (Polyphenon E), with no elevation of liver enzymes. These findings support a potential role for Polyphenon E in the treatment or prevention of prostate cancer.”
Cardelli admitted that the study is still in an “early stage” and more research needs to be done.
He stated “Green tea can keep cancer from growing very fast, but it may not be able to shrink tumors. But it can be a good addition to traditional therapies, like chemotherapy or radiation.”
Prostate cancer second leading cause of cancer deaths
Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among men in American. Although health officials urge men over 50 to get tested for the disease annually, very few pay heed, putting themselves at a risk of being diagnosed at a later stage.
According to the American Cancer Society, 192,280 men will be diagnosed of the disease and 27,360 will fall prey to it in 2009.
The study is published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.
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