Green tea extract might help blood cancer patients
It has been known for a long time that green tea provides the
anti-aging and heal
th benefits. Now, Mayo Clinic scientists have discovered
that its extract can also accelerate the fight against chronic
lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), a blood cancer in which surplus
lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell, are produced by the
bone marrow and lymph organs.
The participants of the research were 4 victims of CLL, the most
common type of blood cancer, who were being given drugs
containing green tea extract epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG).
After a certain period of time, a decrease in cancerous cells in
their bodies was observed. 3 of the 4 patients expressed
improved response to treatment and one had improved white blood
cell count. One patient whose lymph nodes had swollen up
decreased in size after she started taking green tea pills.
Earlier in 2004, the same team of scientists, led by Dr Tait
Shanafelt, had conducted a laboratory research of the influence
of EGCG on leukemia cells. The findings were published in a 2004
edition of the journal Blood. It had been discovered that the
green tea extract killed the leukemia cells. "The experience of
these individuals provides some suggestion that our previously
published laboratory findings may actually translate into
clinical effects for patients with the disease," Dr Shanafelt
said.
"Green tea has long been thought to have cancer-prevention
capabilities. It is exciting that research is now demonstrating
this agent may provide new hope for CLL patients," Dr Shanafelt
added. So far, no cure has been found for CLL, a progressing
malignancy that usually targets people over 55 years of age.
According to Dr Shanafelt, further studies are necessary for
establishing the exact process and effect and the quantity of
the extract that is optimum.
"We do not know how many patients were taking similar products
and failed to have any benefit. We also do not yet know the
optimal dose that should be used, the frequency with which
patients should take the medication, and what side effects will
be observed with long-term administration," he said. The
hematologist is now developing an EGCG pill for the US National
Cancer Institute to find out whether the extract could be used
to treat patients with CLL.
The medical fraternity expressed optimism at the results of the
study, but felt that it might be too early to celebrate. "The
findings are interesting, but we cannot say yet this is a new
treatment for cancer. We need to carry out a large scale,
controlled trial to see if the findings hold true," said Ken
Campbell of United Kingdom's Leukemia Research Fund. Around 7300
Americans are diagnosed with CLL every year, with men being more
subject to the disease than women.