A prospective clinical trial of green tea for hormone refractory prostate cancer: an evaluation of the complementary/alternative therapy approach.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of green tea, prescribed as an alternative complementary (CAM) formulation on hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC).


METHODS
Patients with HRCP were prescribed green tea extract capsules at a dose level of 250 mg twice daily. Efficacy and toxicity were evaluated during monthly visits. The primary endpoint was prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or measurable disease progression after a minimum of 2 months of therapy.


RESULTS
Nineteen patients were enrolled into the study. The treatment was generally well tolerated. Twelve patients reported at least one side effect; only two of these were of moderate or severe grade. Primary toxicity was related to gastrointestinal irritation or caffeine intake. Four patients did not complete the minimum 2 months of therapy because of: intolerance (two patients), physician stoppage (one patient), death from cerebrovascular accident (one patient). Fifteen patients completed at least 2 months of therapy. Nine of these patients had progressive disease within 2 months of starting therapy. Six patients developed progressive disease after additional 1 to 4 months of therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
Green tea, as CAM therapy, was found to have minimal clinical activity against hormone refractory prostate cancer.
Choan
E
E
Division of Radiation Oncology, The Ottawa Hospital Regional Cancer Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. ce@ottawahospital.on.ca
Segal
Roanne
R
Jonker
Derek
D
Malone
Shawn
S
Reaume
Neil
N
Eapen
Libni
L
Gallant
Victor
V
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000494:pharmacology; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013662:Tea / Q000009:adverse effects
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013662:Tea; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen