Cancer chemoprevention with green tea

catechins by targeting receptor tyrosine

kinases.
Source
Department of Gastroenterology, Gifu University Graduate School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan.
shimim-gif@umin.ac.jp

Abstract
Recent studies indicate that receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), which play important roles in
cell proliferation, are one of the possible targets of green tea catechins (GTCs) in cancer cell
growth inhibition. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major catechin in green tea,
inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in various types of cancer cells, including
colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma cells, by blocking the activation of the
epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) family of RTKs. EGCG inhibits the activation of
insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor (IGF-1R) and VEGFR2, the other members of the RTK
family, and this effect is also associated with the anticancer and chemopreventive properties
of this agent. EGCG suppresses the activation of EGFR in part by altering membrane lipid
organization and causing the subsequent inhibition of the dimerization and activation of this
receptor. Preliminary trials have shown that GTCs successfully prevent the development and
progression of precancerous lesions, such as colorectal adenomas, without causing severe
adverse effects. The present report reviews evidence indicating that GTCs exert anticancer
and chemopreventive effects by inhibiting the activation of specific RTKs, especially EGFR,
IGF-1R, and VEGFR2, and concludes that targeting RTKs and their related signaling
pathways by using tea catechins could be a promising strategy for the prevention of human
cancers.

Protocol for minimizing the risk of metachronous

adenomas of the colorectum with green tea
extract (MIRACLE): a randomised controlled trial
of green tea extract versus placebo for
nutriprevention of metachronous colon adenomas
in the elderly population.
Source

Institute of Pharmacology of Natural Products and Clinical Pharmacology, University Ulm,

Germany. Julia.stingl@uni-ulm.de
Abstract
BACKGROUND:

Prevention of colorectal cancer is a major health care issue. People who have undergone
colonoscopy screening and had colorectal polyps removed have a higher risk of being
diagnosed with polyps again compared to the normal population. Therefore, it would be ideal
to find appropriate means that effectively help to prevent the reoccurrence of polyps after
polypectomy. So far, pharmaceutical chemoprevention with NSAIDs including aspirin has
been shown to be effective but not gained general acceptance due to side effects.
Nutraceuticals such as polyphenols from tea plants have demonstrated remarkable therapeutic
and preventive effects in molecular, epidemiological and clinical trials. However, placebocontrolled trials demonstrating the efficacy of nutraceuticals for the (secondary) prevention of
colorectal polyps as precursors for colorectal cancer are missing.
METHODS/DESIGN:

We present the design of a randomized, placebo controlled, multicentre trial to investigate the
effect of diet supplementation with green tea extract containing 300 mg epigallocatechin
gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol in green tea, on the recurrence of colon adenomas.
Patients who have undergone polypectomy for colonic polyps will be randomized to receive
either green tea extract containing 150 mg EGCG two times daily or a placebo over the
course of three years. After a one month run-in period in which all patients will receive the
active intervention, 2534 patients will be randomized, and 2028 patients are expected to
complete the whole study course. Incidence, number and histology of adenoma at endpoint
colonoscopy at three years will be compared in both groups.
DISCUSSION:

The beneficial safety profile of decaffeinated green tea extract, the quantifiable and known
active content EGCG, and the accumulating evidence of its cancer preventive potential
require, in our view, a validation of this compound for the nutriprevention of colorectal

adenoma. Good accessibility and low costs might render this neutraceutical a top candidate
for wider use as food supplement in colon cancer prevention.

Green Tea

Keywords: Chinese tea, Japanese tea, cancer, mental

alertness

Steven Foster

On this page:

Introduction

What Green Tea Is Used For

How Green Tea Is Used

What the Science Says

Side Effects and Cautions

Sources

For More Information

Introduction
This fact sheet provides basic information about green teacommon names, uses, potential
side effects, and resources for more information. All types of tea (green, black, and oolong)
are produced from the Camellia sinensis plant using different methods. Fresh leaves from the
Camellia sinensis plant are steamed to produce green tea.
Common Namesgreen tea, Chinese tea, Japanese tea
Latin NameCamellia sinensis

Top

What Green Tea Is Used For

Green tea and green tea extracts, such as its component EGCG, have been
used to prevent and treat a variety of cancers, including breast, stomach,
and skin cancers.

Green tea and green tea extracts have also been used for improving
mental alertness, aiding in weight loss, lowering cholesterol levels, and
protecting skin from sun damage.

Top

How Green Tea Is Used

Green tea is usually brewed and drunk as a beverage. Green tea extracts can be taken in
capsules and are sometimes used in skin products.
Top

What the Science Says

Laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect against or
slow the growth of certain cancers, but studies in people have shown
mixed results.

Some evidence suggests that the use of green tea preparations improves
mental alertness, most likely because of its caffeine content. There are not
enough reliable data to determine whether green tea can aid in weight
loss, lower blood cholesterol levels, or protect the skin from sun damage.

NCCAM supports studies to learn more about the components in green tea
and their effects on conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart
disease.

Top

Side Effects and Cautions

Green tea is safe for most adults when used in moderate amounts.

There have been some case reports of liver problems in people taking
concentrated green tea extracts. This problem does not seem to be
connected with green tea infusions or beverages. Although these cases
are very rare and the evidence is not definitive, experts suggest that
concentrated green tea extracts be taken with food, and that people
should discontinue use and consult a heath care practitioner if they have a
liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal
pain, dark urine, or jaundice.

Green tea and green tea extracts contain caffeine. Caffeine can cause
insomnia, anxiety, irritability, upset stomach, nausea, diarrhea, or frequent
urination in some people.

Green tea contains small amounts of vitamin K, which can make

anticoagulant drugs, such as warfarin, less effective.

Tell all your health care providers about any complementary and
alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to
manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care. For
tips about talking with your health care providers about CAMA group of
diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are
not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.
Complementary medicine is used together with conventional medicine,
and alternative medicine is used in place of conventional medicine., see
NCCAM's Time to Talk campaign.

Search the scientific literature for potential herb-drug interactions

Top

Sources

Green tea. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site.

Accessed at www.naturaldatabase.com on July 8, 2009.

Green tea (Camellia sinensis). Natural Standard Database Web site.

Accessed at www.naturalstandard.com on July 8, 2009.

National Cancer Institute. Tea and Cancer Prevention. National Cancer

Institute Web site. Accessed at
www.cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/tea on June 3, 2010.

Sarma DN, Barrett ML, Chavez ML, et al. Safety of green tea extracts: a
systematic review by the US Pharmacopeia. Drug Safety. 2008;31(6):469
484.

Top

For More Information

Using Dietary Supplements Wisely

NCCAM Clearinghouse

The NCCAM Clearinghouse provides information on CAM and NCCAM, including

publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The
Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to
practitioners.