ABSTRACT
In this ASCO 2010 abstract, researchers examined whether the green tea extract epigallocatechin 3 gallate (EGCG) has 'clinical efficacy' for chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients.
COHORT
42 eligible patients received EGCG 2000 mg twice daily for up to 6 months.
RESULTS
Overall, 67% (28 patients) had a clinical response; either
A) A decline in ALC (absolute lymphocyte count) of 20% or greater, or
B) A 50% reduction in the 'sum of the products of all nodal areas at some point during the 6 months of active treatment.
Side effects included:
- Transaminitis (31% grade 1, 12% grade 2)
- Abdominal pain (21% grade 1, 7% grade 2, 2% grade 3)
- Nausea (55% grade 1, 2% grade 2).
CONCLUSIONS
"Daily oral EGCG in the Polyphenon E preparation was well tolerated by CLL patients in this phase II trial. Declines in ALC and/or lymphadenopathy were observed in the majority of patients. EGCG containing green tea extracts may have potential as disease stabilizing agents in patients with early-stage CLL."
PUBLICATIONS
These results are presented as an abstract for the 2010 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting; they have not been published in a peer-reviewed journal yet and until then should be considered preliminary only.
By Ross Bonander
Source: Shanafelt T et al. "Phase II trial of daily, oral green tea extract in patients with asymptomatic, Rai stage 0-II chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). J Clin Oncol 28:7s, 2010 (suppl; abstr 6522)
