Green Tea / EGCG
Author
Nancy Hepp, MS, BCCT Project Manager
Read more Ms. Hepp is a science researcher and communicator who has been writing and editing educational content on varied health topics for more than 20 years. View profile.
Reviewer
Laura Pole, RN, MSN, OCNS, BCCT Senior Researcher
Read more Ms. Pole is an oncology clinical nurse specialist who has been providing integrative oncology clinical care, navigation, consultation and education services for more than 30 years. View profile.
Last updated June 9, 2021.
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Also known by these names
- Chinese tea
- Matcha tea
- Green tea extract
- Green tea polyphenols
- Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
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Key Points
- Before using this therapy, consult your oncology team about interactions with other treatments and therapies. Also make sure this therapy is safe for use with any other medical conditions you may have.
- The active constituent in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).
- BCCT’s interest in green tea and EGCG derives from its protective qualities. Evidence, especially from China, suggests that green tea may protect against cancers of the colon and stomach.
- Some evidence shows that green tea’s relatively weak anticancer activity increases in combination with anticancer drugs.
- Drinking green tea appears safe at regular, habitual and moderate use.
- Green tea use may not be compatible with some conditions and circumstances.
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The active constituent in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The medical effects of drinking green tea have been better studied than those from taking green tea extract or EGCG supplements.
Treating the Cancer
Working against cancer growth or spread, improving survival, or working with other treatments or therapies to improve their anticancer action
Clinical Evidence
Colorectal Cancer
- Enhanced chemotherapy effects and outcomes: reduced disease progression rate, incidence of adverse events (at least grade 4) and occurrence of increased serum creatinine (an indicator of kidney toxicity) with use of B-6—a combination of fermented soybean extract, green tea extract, Antrodia camphorata mycelia, spirulina, grape seed extract, and curcumin extract—in people with metastatic colorectal cancer when combined with leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil, and oxaliplatin compared to chemotherapy alone
Head, Neck and Oral Cancers
- Reduced lesion size after six months among people with oral leukoplakia (premalignant lesions) taking capsules containing green tea extract, green tea polyphenols and black tea polyphenols compared to those taking a placebo.
Leukemia
- Some indications of response were found in case studies and a small uncontrolled clinical trial of EGCG use by patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Lung Cancer
- No objective tumor responses were found at the maximum tolerated dose in preliminary studies of lung cancer patients.
Ovarian Cancer
- Dramatically improved five-year overall survival and progression-free survival, with fewer cancer relapses with ascites, among people with advanced ovarian cancer taking indole-3-carbinol (I3C) or both I3C and EGCG (green tea extract) during treatment with combined surgery and adjuvant platinum-taxane chemotherapy, both with and without neoadjuvant platinum-taxane chemotherapy
Prostate Cancer
- Reduced serum levels of PSA, HGF, and VEGF in men with prostate cancer, with no elevation of liver enzymes in men with positive prostate biopsies and scheduled for radical prostatectomy
- A trend toward beneficial changes in serum PSA and other markers of metabolic and oxidative status, plus a decrease in Gleason score from biopsy to surgery in men with prostate cancer scheduled to undergo radical prostatectomy
- No or minimal clinical activity against hormone refractory prostate cancer in a small study
Lab and Animal Evidence
Read more
A 2017 review found the weak inhibitory activity of EGCG increased synergistically in combination with anticancer drugs.
Breast cancer:
- Limited growth, proliferation and adhesion and induced cell death (apoptosis) of breast cancer cells
- Restored estrogen receptor gene expression, interfered with tumor growth rate and other anticancer effects in breast cancer cell lines
- Synergistic interaction with tamoxifen or raloxifene in treating estrogen receptor-positive and estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer, without interacting with aromatase inhibitors or fulvestrant
- Sensitized tumor cells to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in lab studies, but also reduced the effect of the chemotherapy drug bortezomib (Velcade), used primarily in multiple myeloma
Colorectal cancer:
- Promoted cell death (apoptosis) and cell growth cycle arrest
- Induced cell death (apoptosis), cell cycle arrest and induced chromosome instability in colon adenocarcinoma cells but not noncancerous colon cells
- Synergistic role with anticancer drugs, including potentiating the cytotoxicity of cisplatin and oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer cells
- Anticancer activity in colon cancer cells
- Blocked metastasis and invasion
- Inhibited tumor angiogenesis (development of blood vessels to supply tumors)
- Reversed drug resistance of cancer cells
- Protected animals from colon cancer induced by azoxymethane (a substance used in cancer research to cause colon tumors in laboratory animals)
- Inhibited polyp formation in animals and suppressed small intestinal tumor formation in mice
- Inhibited tumor incidence, with near-normal survival rate and restoration of normal colon architecture in rodents
- Inhibited precancerous polyps and development of colon cancer in mice fed a high-fat diet
- Inhibited growth of parental cells, self-renewal in hepatoma (liver tumor) and colon cancer stem cells, and other stem cell processes, and altered cell cycle and cell death (apoptosis)
- Inhibited development of intestinal, colon and stomach cancer
- MB-6, a combination of fermented soybean extract, green tea extract, Antrodia camphorata mycelia, spirulina, grape seed extract, and curcumin extract
- Increased the survival rate and life span of mice bearing colon cancer tumors when combined with chemotherapy as compared with chemotherapy alone
EGCG amplified the toxicity of cisplatin in ovarian cancer cells and enhanced sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin.
A 2018 review found that EGCG enhances the effectiveness of several treatments with glioma:
- Irradiation
- Some chemotherapy drugs: temozolomide, carmustine, cisplatin
- Other cancer treatments: tamoxifen and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand
Managing Side Effects and Promoting Wellness
Managing or relieving side effects or symptoms, reducing treatment toxicity, supporting quality of life or promoting general well-being
- Improved quality of life, but with no differences in chemotherapy adverse events among people with advanced ovarian cancer taking indole-3-carbinol (I3C) or both I3C and EGCG (green tea extract) during treatment with combined surgery and adjuvant platinum-taxane chemotherapy, both with and without neoadjuvant platinum-taxane chemotherapy
- No effect reducing radiation therapy-induced nausea and vomiting in a review of several observational and one randomized trials
Reducing Risk
Reducing the risk of developing cancer or the risk of recurrence
Clinical Evidence
Moderate evidence shows decreased risk of several cancer types with increased consumption of green tea.
Moderate evidence shows decreased risk in several cancer types, but increased risk of pancreatic cancer with higher consumption of green tea.
- High intake may protect against cancers of the colon, esophagus and stomach.
- Breast cancer:
- Reduced risk of both cancer and recurrence in epidemiological studies
- Colorectal cancer:
- In a meta-analysis, high green tea consumption was associated with a moderate overall reduced risk of colorectal cancer. The reduction was significant in women (50 percent reduced risk), but not in men. A small pilot study of patients who had had colorectal adenomas removed showed a reduced incidence of metachronous adenomas after taking green tea extract supplements.
- EGCG inhibited tumor stem cell proliferation, prevented tumor production, and reduced risk of recurrence after surgery
- Green tea extracts prevented the development and progression of precancerous lesions, such as colorectal adenomas, and reduced incidence of metachronous adenomas after colorectal adenomas were removed
- A study from China found that women tea drinkers had significantly reduced risks of gallbladder cancer. The reduced risk was not significant in men, but a confound with smoking incidence in men could have contributed to this distinction.
- A 2011 review and meta-analysis found that green tea consumption was associated with a moderate reduction in risk for primary liver cancer.
- Reviews have found that green tea consumption shows a protective effect against lung cancer, particularly among people who had never smoked tobacco.
- A large cohort study found no overall association between green tea consumption and oral cancer incidence, although a trend toward reduced incidence in women was seen.
- Observational studies show a protective role of green tea on risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers. In separate reports, a case-control study in China showed a protective effect of green, black and/or oolong tea consumption against ovarian cancer, while a meta-analysis showed the benefits were greater with green tea for endometrial cancer..
- Highest green tea consumption compared to no or lowest consumption in Asian studies showed a trend toward lower risk of prostate cancer. Green tea catechins reduced development of prostate tumors in men with high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia.
- Green tea polyphenols show chemopreventive properties against ultraviolet light (UVB)-induced skin cancer. Topical application of EGCG blocked skin cell damage from UVB.
- Several reviews of green tea consumption and risk of stomach cancer found a decreased risk in case control studies but not in cohort studies.
Lab and Animal Evidence
Read more
- Reviews of studies published in 2017 have concluded that EGCG prevents or inhibits human cancer.
- Green tea extract reduced breast carcinogenesis or proliferation in cell studies.
- Colorectal cancer:
- Protected animals from colon cancer induced by azoxymethane
- Inhibited polyp formation in animals and suppressed small intestinal tumor formation in mice
- Inhibited tumor incidence, with near-normal survival rate and restoration of normal colon architecture in rodents
- Inhibited pre-cancerous polyps and development of colon cancer in mice fed a high-fat diet
- Inhibited growth of parental cells, self-renewal in hepatoma (liver tumor) and colon cancer stem cells, and other stem cell processes, and altered cell cycle and cell death (apoptosis)
- EGCG inhibited proliferative and cellular division pathways and induced cell death (apoptosis) of cancer cells in colorectal cells.
- Green tea extracts inhibited cancer development in intestinal, colon and gastric cancer in preclinical studies
Optimizing Your Terrain
Creating an environment within your body that does not support cancer development, growth or spread
- Antioxidant
- Anti-inflammatory
- Antimutagenic (counteracts the effects of mutagens, which cause genetic mutations) and anticarcinogenic including reduced instability in chromosomes in noncancerous colon cells
- Inhibited VEGF (a substance made by cells that stimulates new blood vessel formation) and other growth factors
- Reduced fasting blood glucose in some studies and meta-analyses, but not all
Cautions
Drinking green tea appears safe at regular, habitual and moderate use (three to nine cups per day). Side effects usually relate to gastrointestinal effects and nervous system effects from the caffeine in green tea.
Increased tea intake was associated with an increased risk for esophageal, pancreatic, prostate, and urinary tract cancers plus leukemia in a systematic review.
Green tea use may not be compatible with some conditions and circumstances such as pregnancy or chemotherapy treatment. In preclinical studies EGCG reduces the effect of the chemotherapy drug bortezomib (Velcade), used primarily in multiple myeloma. Other concerning effects in preclinical studies:
- Increased toxicity when used in combination with tamoxifen and irinotecan
- Increased risk of liver toxicity if used with acetaminophen and when taken on an empty stomach
- Elevated or interfered with liver enzymes; this effect may be reversed if consumption is stopped
Green tea consumption affects the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women according to the age of onset of tea drinking: green tea is protective against cancer for women who started before age 20 but increases risk for those who started after age 50.
Green tea/EGCG also interacts with several pharmaceutical drugs and the absorption of iron.
Further cautions and warnings regarding use of green tea/EGCG are noted. Please see Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s About Herbs: Green Tea for more information and seek the advice of a trained health professional if indicated.
Dosing
BCCT does not recommend therapies or doses, but only provides information for patients and providers to consider as part of a complete treatment plan. Patients should discuss therapies with their physicians, as contraindications, interactions and side effects must be evaluated. Levels of active ingredients of natural products can vary widely between and even within products. See Quality and Sources of Herbs, Supplements and Other Natural Products.
Specific dosing recommendation are available from these sources:
Integrative Programs, Protocols and Medical Systems
- Programs and protocols
- Alschuler & Gazella complementary approaches
- Block program
- Surgical support program: angiogenic inhibition
- Radiation support formula
- Targeted molecular therapy
- Anticancer diet plan: antioxidant, blocking tumor-fueling enzymes
- Combination circulatory support supplement
- Remission maintenance program: chemopreventive
- Lemole, Mehta & McKee protocols
- MacDonald breast cancer program
- McKinney protocols
- Traditional systems
Abrams & Weil list green tea as effective for reducing risk and treating early stage cancer.
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- Shanafelt TD, Lee YK et al. Clinical effects of oral green tea extracts in four patients with low grade B-cell malignancies. Leukemia Research. 2006 Jun;30(6):707-12; Shanafelt TD, Call TG et al. Phase 2 trial of daily, oral Polyphenon E in patients with asymptomatic, Rai stage 0 to II chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Cancer. 2013 Jan 15;119(2):363-70.
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- Kiselev VI, Ashrafyan LA et al. A new promising way of maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer: a comparative clinical study. BMC Cancer. 2018 Sep 20;18(1):904.
- McLarty J, Bigelow RL et al. Tea polyphenols decrease serum levels of prostate-specific antigen, hepatocyte growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor in prostate cancer patients and inhibit production of hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor in vitro. Cancer Prevention Research (Philadelphia). 2009 Jul;2(7):673-82.
- Nguyen MM, Ahmann FR et al. Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of polyphenon E in prostate cancer patients before prostatectomy: evaluation of potential chemopreventive activities. Cancer Prevention Research (Philadelphia). 2012 Feb;5(2):290-8.
- Choan E, Segal R et al. A prospective clinical trial of green tea for hormone refractory prostate cancer: an evaluation of the complementary/alternative therapy approach. Urolologic Oncology. 2005 Mar-Apr;23(2):108-13.
- Fujiki H, Sueoka E, Rawangkan A, Suganuma M. Human cancer stem cells are a target for cancer prevention using (-)-epigallocatechin gallate. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. 2017 Sep 23.
- Lewis KA, Jordan HR, Tollefsbol TO. Effects of SAHA and EGCG on growth potentiation of triple-negative breast cancer cells. Cancers (Basel). 2018 Dec 27;11(1). pii: E23; Avtanski D, Poretsky L. Phyto-polyphenols as potential inhibitors of breast cancer metastasis. Molecular Medicine. 2018 Jun 5;24(1):29.
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- Yang H, Zonder JA, Dou QP. Clinical development of novel proteasome inhibitors for cancer treatment. Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs. 2009 Jul;18(7):957-71.
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- Ni J, Guo X, Wang H, Zhou T, Wang X. Differences in the effects of EGCG on chromosomal stability and cell growth between normal and colon cancer cells. Molecules. 2018 Mar 29;23(4). pii: E788; Hu G, Zhang L, Rong Y, Ni X, Sun Y. Downstream carcinogenesis signaling pathways by green tea polyphenols: a translational perspective of chemoprevention and treatment for cancers. Current Drug Metabolism. 2014 Jan;15(1):14-22.
- Liu C, Li P et al. Advances in the antagonism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. Molecules. 2019 May 3;24(9). pii: E1726; Liu C, Li P et al. Advances in the antagonism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. Molecules. 2019 May 3;24(9). pii: E1726.
- Hu F, Wei F et al. EGCG synergizes the therapeutic effect of cisplatin and oxaliplatin through autophagic pathway in human colorectal cancer cells. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences. 2015 May;128(1):27-34.
- Ying L, Yan F et al. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate and EZH2 inhibitor GSK343 have similar inhibitory effects and mechanisms of action on colorectal cancer cells. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology & Physiology. 2018 Jan;45(1):58-67; Liu C, Li P et al. Advances in the antagonism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. Molecules. 2019 May 3;24(9). pii: E1726.
- Liu C, Li P et al. Advances in the antagonism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. Molecules. 2019 May 3;24(9). pii: E1726; Hu G, Zhang L, Rong Y, Ni X, Sun Y. Downstream carcinogenesis signaling pathways by green tea polyphenols: a translational perspective of chemoprevention and treatment for cancers. Current Drug Metabolism. 2014 Jan;15(1):14-22.
- Liu C, Li P et al. Advances in the antagonism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. Molecules. 2019 May 3;24(9). pii: E1726.
- Liu C, Li P et al. Advances in the antagonism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. Molecules. 2019 May 3;24(9). pii: E1726.
- Chen J, Huang XF. The signal pathways in azoxymethane-induced colon cancer and preventive implications. Cancer Biology & Therapy. 2009 Jul;8(14):1313-7.
- Fajardo AM, Piazza GA. Chemoprevention in gastrointestinal physiology and disease. Anti-inflammatory approaches for colorectal cancer chemoprevention. American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. 2015 Jul 15;309(2):G59-70; Ullah MF, Bhat SH et al. Pharmacological intervention through dietary nutraceuticals in gastrointestinal neoplasia. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2016 Jul 3;56(9):1501-18.
- Ullah MF, Bhat SH et al. Pharmacological intervention through dietary nutraceuticals in gastrointestinal neoplasia. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2016 Jul 3;56(9):1501-18.
- Ullah MF, Bhat SH et al. Pharmacological intervention through dietary nutraceuticals in gastrointestinal neoplasia. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2016 Jul 3;56(9):1501-18.
- Wubetu GY, Shimada M et al. Epigallocatechin gallate hinders human hepatoma and colon cancer sphere formation. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2016 Jan;31(1):256-64.
- Hu G, Zhang L, Rong Y, Ni X, Sun Y. Downstream carcinogenesis signaling pathways by green tea polyphenols: a translational perspective of chemoprevention and treatment for cancers. Current Drug Metabolism. 2014 Jan;15(1):14-22.
- Chen WT, Yang TS et al. Effectiveness of a novel herbal agent MB-6 as a potential adjunct to 5-fluoracil-based chemotherapy in colorectal cancer. Nutrition Research. 2014 Jul;34(7):585-94.
- Chan MM, Soprano KJ, Weinstein K, Fong D. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate delivers hydrogen peroxide to induce death of ovarian cancer cells and enhances their cisplatin susceptibility. Journal of Cell Physiology. 2006 May;207(2):389-96.
- Wang X, Jiang P et al. EGCG enhances cisplatin sensitivity by regulating expression of the copper and cisplatin influx transporter CTR1 in ovary cancer. PLoS One. 2015 Apr 30;10(4):e0125402.
- Le CT, Leenders WPJ, Molenaar RJ, van Noorden CJF. Effects of the green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate on glioma: a critical evaluation of the literature. Nutrition and Cancer. 2018 Apr;70(3):317-333.
- Kiselev VI, Ashrafyan LA et al. A new promising way of maintenance therapy in advanced ovarian cancer: a comparative clinical study. BMC Cancer. 2018 Sep 20;18(1):904.
- Ruhlmann CH, Jahn F et al. 2016 updated MASCC/ESMO consensus recommendations: prevention of radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Supportive Care in Cancer. 2017 Jan;25(1):309-316.
- Sun CL, Yuan JM et al. Urinary tea polyphenols in relation to gastric and esophageal cancers: a prospective study of men in Shanghai, China. Carcinogenesis. 2002 Sep;23(9):1497-503; Yuan JM, Gao YT, Yang CS, Yu MC Urinary biomarkers of tea polyphenols and risk of colorectal cancer in the Shanghai Cohort Study. International Journal of Cancer. 2007 Mar 15;120(6):1344-50.
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- Sun CL, Yuan JM, Koh WP, Yu MC. Green tea, black tea and colorectal cancer risk: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Jul;27(7):1301-9.
- Shimizu M, Fukutomi Y et al. Green tea extracts for the prevention of metachronous colorectal adenomas: a pilot study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 2008 Nov;17(11):3020-5.
- Liu C, Li P et al. Advances in the antagonism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. Molecules. 2019 May 3;24(9). pii: E1726; Kumar N, Shibata D, Helm J, Coppola D, Malafa M. Green tea polyphenols in the prevention of colon cancer. Frontiers in Bioscience. 2007 Jan 1;12:2309-15; Liu C, Li P et al. Advances in the antagonism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. Molecules. 2019 May 3;24(9). pii: E1726; Kumar N, Shibata D, Helm J, Coppola D, Malafa M. Green tea polyphenols in the prevention of colon cancer. Frontiers in Bioscience. 2007 Jan 1;12:2309-15.
- Shimizu M, Adachi S, Masuda M, Kozawa O, Moriwaki H. Cancer chemoprevention with green tea catechins by targeting receptor tyrosine kinases. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2011 Jun;55(6):832-43.
- Shimizu M, Fukutomi Y et al. Green tea extracts for the prevention of metachronous colorectal adenomas: a pilot study. Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention. 2008 Nov;17(11):3020-5; Shin CM, Lee DH et al. Green tea extracts for the prevention of metachronous colorectal polyps among patients who underwent endoscopic removal of colorectal adenomas: a randomized clinical trial. Clinical Nutrition. 2018 Apr;37(2):452-458.
- Zhang XH, Andreotti G et al. Tea drinking and the risk of biliary tract cancers and biliary stones: a population-based case-control study in Shanghai, China. International Journal of Cancer. 2006 Jun 15;118(12):3089-94.
- Fon Sing M, Yang WS, Gao S, Gao J, Xiang YB. Epidemiological studies of the association between tea drinking and primary liver cancer: a meta-analysis. European Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2011 May;20(3):157-65.
- Arts IC. A review of the epidemiological evidence on tea, flavonoids, and lung cancer. Journal of Nutrition. 2008 Aug;138(8):1561S-1566S; Wang Y, Yu X, Wu Y, Zhang D. Coffee and tea consumption and risk of lung cancer: a dose-response analysis of observational studies. Lung Cancer. 2012 Nov;78(2):169-70; Liang W, Binns CW, Jian L, Lee AH. Does the consumption of green tea reduce the risk of lung cancer among smokers? Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medocine. 2007 Mar;4(1):17-22.
- Ide R, Fujino Y et al. A prospective study of green tea consumption and oral cancer incidence in Japan. Annals of Epidemiology. 2007 Oct;17(10):821-6.
- Butler LM, Wu AH. Green and black tea in relation to gynecologic cancers. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2011 Jun;55(6):931-40.
- Lee AH, Su D, Pasalich M, Binns CW. Tea consumption reduces ovarian cancer risk. Cancer Epidemiology. 2013 Feb;37(1):54-9.
- Tang NP, Li H, Qiu YL, Zhou GM, Ma J. Tea consumption and risk of endometrial cancer: a metaanalysis. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Dec;201(6):605.e1-8.
- Zheng J, Yang B et al. Green tea and black tea consumption and prostate cancer risk: an exploratory meta-analysis of observational studies. Nutrition and Cancer. 2011;63(5):663-72.
- Bettuzzi S, Brausi M et al. Chemoprevention of human prostate cancer by oral administration of green tea catechins in volunteers with high-grade prostate intraepithelial neoplasia: a preliminary report from a one-year proof-of-principle study. Cancer Research. 2006 Jan 15;66(2):1234-40; Brausi M, Rizzi F, Bettuzzi S. Chemoprevention of human prostate cancer by green tea catechins: two years later. a follow-up update. European Urology. 2008 Aug;54(2):472-3.
- Sharma P, Montes de Oca MK et al. Tea polyphenols for the prevention of UVB-induced skin cancer. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine. 2018 Jan;34(1):50-59.
- Katiyar SK, Matsui MS, Elmets CA, Mukhtar H. Polyphenolic antioxidant (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea reduces UVB-induced inflammatory responses and infiltration of leukocytes in human skin. Photochemistry and Photobiology. 1999 Feb;69(2):148-53; Camouse MM1, Domingo DS et al. Topical application of green and white tea extracts provides protection from solar-simulated ultraviolet light in human skin. Experimental Dermatology. 2009 Jun;18(6):522-6.
- Evidence-Based Monographs: Green Tea. Ottawa Integrative Cancer Centre. Viewed May 16, 2019.
- Fujiki H, Sueoka E, Rawangkan A, Suganuma M. Human cancer stem cells are a target for cancer prevention using (-)-epigallocatechin gallate. Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology. 2017 Sep 23; Chu C, Deng J, Man Y, Qu Y. Green tea extracts epigallocatechin-3-gallate for different treatments. Biomedical Research International. 2017;2017:5615647; Budisan L, Gulei D et al. Dietary intervention by phytochemicals and their role in modulating coding and non-coding genes in cancer. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017 Jun 1;18(6). pii: E1178.
- Yiannakopoulou ECh. Effect of green tea catechins on breast carcinogenesis: a systematic review of in-vitro and in-vivo experimental studies. European Journal of Cancer Prevention. 2014 Mar;23(2):84-9; Xiang LP, Wang A et al. Suppressive effects of tea catechins on breast cancer. Nutrients. 2016 Jul 28;8(8). pii: E458.
- Chen J, Huang XF. The signal pathways in azoxymethane-induced colon cancer and preventive implications. Cancer Biology & Therapy. 2009 Jul;8(14):1313-7.
- Fajardo AM, Piazza GA. Chemoprevention in gastrointestinal physiology and disease. Anti-inflammatory approaches for colorectal cancer chemoprevention. American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. 2015 Jul 15;309(2):G59-70; Ullah MF, Bhat SH et al. Pharmacological intervention through dietary nutraceuticals in gastrointestinal neoplasia. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2016 Jul 3;56(9):1501-18.
- Ullah MF, Bhat SH et al. Pharmacological intervention through dietary nutraceuticals in gastrointestinal neoplasia. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2016 Jul 3;56(9):1501-18.
- Ullah MF, Bhat SH et al. Pharmacological intervention through dietary nutraceuticals in gastrointestinal neoplasia. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 2016 Jul 3;56(9):1501-18.
- Wubetu GY, Shimada M et al. Epigallocatechin gallate hinders human hepatoma and colon cancer sphere formation. Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 2016 Jan;31(1):256-64.
- Derry MM, Raina K, Agarwal C, Agarwal R. Identifying molecular targets of lifestyle modifications in colon cancer prevention. Frontiers in Oncology. 2013 May 14;3:119.
- Hu G, Zhang L, Rong Y, Ni X, Sun Y. Downstream carcinogenesis signaling pathways by green tea polyphenols: a translational perspective of chemoprevention and treatment for cancers. Current Drug Metabolism. 2014 Jan;15(1):14-22.
- Ni J, Guo X, Wang H, Zhou T, Wang X. Differences in the effects of EGCG on chromosomal stability and cell growth between normal and colon cancer cells. Molecules. 2018 Mar 29;23(4). pii: E788; Carini F, Tomasello G et al. Colorectal cancer and inflammatory bowel diseases: effects of diet and antioxidants. Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents. 2017 Jul-Sep;31(3):791-795; Kuppusamy P, Yusoff MM et al. Nutraceuticals as potential therapeutic agents for colon cancer: a review. Acta Pharm Sin B. 2014 Jun;4(3):173-81; Fajardo AM, Piazza GA. Chemoprevention in gastrointestinal physiology and disease. Anti-inflammatory approaches for colorectal cancer chemoprevention. American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. 2015 Jul 15;309(2):G59-70; Massounga Bora AF, Ma S, Li X, Liu L Application of microencapsulation for the safe delivery of green tea polyphenols in food systems: review and recent advances. Food Research International. 2018 Mar;105:241-249; Suzuki K, Ohno S et al. Effect of green tea extract on reactive oxygen species produced by neutrophils from cancer patients. Anticancer Research. 2012 Jun;32(6):2369-75.
- Liu C, Li P et al. Advances in the antagonism of epigallocatechin-3-gallate in the treatment of digestive tract tumors. Molecules. 2019 May 3;24(9). pii: E1726; Fajardo AM, Piazza GA. Chemoprevention in gastrointestinal physiology and disease. Anti-inflammatory approaches for colorectal cancer chemoprevention. American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. 2015 Jul 15;309(2):G59-70; Shirakami Y, Ohnishi M, Sakai H, Tanaka T, Shimizu M. Prevention of colorectal cancer by targeting obesity-related disorders and inflammation. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2017 Apr 26;18(5). pii: E908; Suzuki K, Ohno S et al. Effect of green tea extract on reactive oxygen species produced by neutrophils from cancer patients. Anticancer Research. 2012 Jun;32(6):2369-75.
- Massounga Bora AF, Ma S, Li X, Liu L Application of microencapsulation for the safe delivery of green tea polyphenols in food systems: review and recent advances. Food Research International. 2018 Mar;105:241-249.
- Ni J, Guo X, Wang H, Zhou T, Wang X. Differences in the effects of EGCG on chromosomal stability and cell growth between normal and colon cancer cells. Molecules. 2018 Mar 29;23(4). pii: E788.
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View All References
More Information
- The Centre for Health Innovation Evidence-Based Monographs:
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s About Herbs: Green Tea
- National Cancer Institute:
- CAM-Cancer: Green tea (Camellia sinensis)
- Moss Reports (purchase required): Select from the list of cancers down the left side of the page for a report describing uses of conventional, complementary, alternative and integrative therapies related to that cancer. Ralph Moss is among the most knowledgeable and balanced researchers of integrative cancer therapies. The cost of his Moss Reports is not negligible, but many patients find them of considerable value. Moss is also available for consultations.
- Gurdev Parmar and Tina Kaczor: Textbook of Naturopathic Oncology
- Dawn Lemanne and Victoria Maizes: Advising Women Undergoing Treatment for Breast Cancer
- Dr. Deirdre Orceyre: Naturopathic and Integrative Cancer Care
- LifeExtension Nutritional Support: Integrative Interventions for Breast Cancer
- Block KI, Block PB, Gyllenhaal C: Integrative Treatment for Colorectal Cancer
- Barbara MacDonald, ND, LAc: The Breast Cancer Companion: A Complementary Care Manual: Third Edition
- Keith Block and others: A Broad-Spectrum Integrative Design for Cancer Prevention and Therapy
- Dwight McKee, MD, editor: Clinical Pearls
- National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health: PDQ® Cancer Information Summaries
- Raymond Chang, MD: Beyond the Magic Bullet: The Anti-Cancer Cocktail
- Donald I. Abrams, MD, and Andrew T. Weil, MD: Integrative Oncology, 2nd Edition
- Neil McKinney, BSc, ND: Naturopathic Oncology, 3rd Edition
- Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO, and Karolyn Gazella: The Definitive Guide to Cancer, 3rd Edition
- Keith I. Block, MD: Life over Cancer: The Block Center Program for Integrative Cancer Treatment
- Lorenzo Cohen and Alison Jefferies: Anticancer Living: Transform Your Life and Health with the Mix of Six
- National Cancer Institute: Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Health Professionals
- National Cancer Institute: Office of Cancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Therapeutic Research Center: Natural Medicines Database
- American Botanical Council: HerbMed
- Lone Star Medical Group: Natural Alternative Treatments
- Cell Nutritionals: Cell Nutritionals: Pomi-T Study
- ConsumerLab.com
- Cancer Research UK
- Editors: Iris F. F. Benzie and Sissi Wachtel-Galor: Herbal Medicine, 2nd Edition: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects
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