Green Tea component Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) Kills Leukemia Cells

Increased and abnormal angiogenesis have consistently been detected in the marrow of patients with hematological disorders. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a key mediator of uncontrolled proliferation of vessels that develop in a chaotic fashion. Lee et al have established that chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells synthesize and release VEGF as a survival mechanism. CLL cells also express VEGF receptors, subsequently creating a bone marrow microenvironment that sustains the survival and proliferation of leukemic cells.

In an experiment published in Blood the impact of the green tea component epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on VEGF receptor status and viability of B-cell CLL laboratory cell cultures was studied. EGCG significantly increased cell death in CLL samples by interrupting phosphorylation of VEGF receptors. This data suggest that EGCG helps kill leukemia cells by interrupting the communication signals they need to survive and proliferate.

Lee YK, Bone ND, Strege AK, et al. VEGF Receptor Phosphorylation Status and Apoptosis is Modulated by a Green Tea Component, Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in B cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Blood 2004 Mar 2 [Epub ahead of print]

Monographs:
Green Tea Extract Monograph (PDF)