title: Role of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) in the treatment of breast and prostate cancer.
abstract: Green tea and its major constituent epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) have been extensively studied as a potential treatment for a variety of diseases, including cancer. Epidemiological data have suggested that EGCG may provide protective effects against hormone related cancers, namely breast or prostate cancer. Extensive in vitro investigations using both hormone responsive and non-responsive cell lines have shown that EGCG induces apoptosis and alters the expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins that are critical for cell survival and apoptosis. This review will highlight the important in vitro mechanistic actions elicited by EGCG in various breast and prostate cancer cell lines. Additionally, the actions of green tea/EGCG in in vivo models for these cancers as well as in clinical trials will be discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 18 Frederick Street, Adams Building, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Emma C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Stuart
authors.forename: Marissa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Scandlyn
authors.forename: Rhonda J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Rosengren
mesh_terms: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate; D014568:Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator