Study suggests green tea may slow prostate cancer progression

NEW YORK Men with prostate cancer who consumed the active compounds in green tea showed lower serum levels predictive of prostate cancer progression, according to results of a study published in Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

"The investigational agent used in the trial, Polyphenon E (provided by Polyphenon Pharma) may have the potential to lower the incidence and slow the progression of prostate cancer," said James Cardelli, PhD, professor and director of basic and translational research in the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, LSU Health Sciences Center-Shreveport.

Results showed a significant reduction in serum levels of HGF, VEGF and PSA after treatment, while some patients experienced a 30% decrease.

According to William Nelson, MD, PhD, professor of oncology, urology and pharmacology at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, the study is not error-proof, as a randomized trial would be necessary in order to block for other lifestyle changes, such as improved diet, from having an affect.

In collaboration with Columbia University in New York, the researchers currently are conducting a comparable trial among patients with breast cancer, among other trials.

"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," Cardelli said.

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