Catechins and the treatment of breast cancer: possible utility and mechanistic targets.
Breast cancer is a disease that is in need of novel treatment strategies and the use of the catechins epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin (EGC) and epicatechin gallate (ECG) is currently being investigated as a potential therapy. The catechins reduce the proliferation of human breast cancer cells in vitro and decrease breast tumor growth in rodents. Furthermore, in vitro studies have demonstrated that the combination of EGCG and tamoxifen is synergistically cytotoxic to ERalpha- breast cancer cells. These results suggest that the catechins have significant potential in the treatment of breast cancer. The mechanisms of these effects are considered and the possible future development of these compounds is explored.
University of Otago, Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, PO Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand. rhonda.rosengren@stonebow.otago.ac.nz
Rhonda J
RJ
Rosengren
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013662:Tea
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013662:Tea; D013629:Tamoxifen; D002392:Catechin; C062669:epicatechin gallate; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; C057580:gallocatechol