title: Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as adjuvant in cancer therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Green tea catechins, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have been associated with cancer prevention and treatment. This has resulted in an increased number of studies evaluating the effects derived from the use of this compound in combination with chemo/radiotherapy. This review aims at compiling latest literature on this subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  Keywords including EGCG, cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and side effects, were searched using PubMed and ScienceDirect databases to identify, analyze, and summarize the research literature on this topic. Most of the studies on this subject up to date are preclinical. Relevance of the findings, impact factor, and date of publication were critical parameters for the studies to be included in the review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Additive and synergistic effects of EGCG when combined with conventional cancer therapies have been proposed, and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities have been related to amelioration of cancer therapy side effects. However, antagonistic interactions with certain anticancer drugs might limit its clinical use.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of EGCG could enhance the effect of conventional cancer therapies through additive or synergistic effects as well as through amelioration of deleterious side effects. Further research, especially at the clinical level, is needed to ascertain the potential role of EGCG as adjuvant in cancer therapy.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Nutrition, Geneva University Hospital, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lecumberri
authors.forename: Yves Marc
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Dupertuis
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Miralbell
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pichard
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000188:drug therapy; D059808:Polyphenols / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013662:Tea / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D059808:Polyphenols; D013662:Tea; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate
keywords: 5-FU; 5-fluorouracil; ATO; Adjuvant; CP; Cancer therapy; DNR; DNROL; DOX; EGCG; Epigallocatechin-3-gallate; Green tea; HBMEC; HNE; HRPC; IL; IR; ROS; Side effects; TSA; arsenic trioxide; cisplatin; daunorubicin; daunorubicinol; doxorubicin; epigallocatechin-3-gallate; hormone refractory prostate cancer; human brain microvascular endothelial cells; hydroxynonenal; interleukin; ionizing radiation; reactive oxygen species; trichostatin A