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....