Moffitt Seeking Participants For Green Tea Study

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Also Included In: Prostate / Prostate Cancer;  Urology / Nephrology
Article Date: 29 Nov 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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Moffitt Cancer Center is looking to recruit and treat 240 men and evaluate safety and effectiveness of Polyphenon E, a drug developed from green tea, in preventing the progression of early signs of prostate cancer. The goal is to also assess if Polyphenon E reduces urinary tract symptoms that men experience with this condition.

In July, a team of physicians and scientists, led by Nagi Kumar, Ph.D., director of Nutrition Research at Moffitt and associate professor in the College of Medicine at the University of South Florida, received a $3.6 million grant over five years from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Studies of Asian populations demonstrate that green tea consumption may be one of the reasons why they have the lowest risk of prostate cancer compared to the Western world. Recently, animal and laboratory studies have identified specific substances in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) as a potent ingredient that can prevent or stop the formation and growth of several human cancers including prostate cancer.

Researchers at Moffitt observed that these substances in green tea function similarly to Velcade, which is currently used to prevent prostate cancer, but without the toxicities observed with the use of these drugs. Polyphenon E was recently evaluated for safety in human trials funded by the NCI.

To participate in the study you should be between the ages of 30 and 80, have had a biopsy-proven high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN), have no prior history of other cancers (other than nonmelanoma skin cancer), have no history of liver disease, and have the ability to take the study drug and comply with scheduled monthly visits for one year.

The Moffitt team includes Drs. Julio Pow-Sang, Wade Sexton, Said Sebti, Aslamuzzaman Kazi, Kathleen Egan, Michael Schell, Gwendolyn Quinn and Theresa Crocker. Other participating institutions include the University of Chicago, Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Philadelphia and the James A Haley Veterans' Hospital.

About Moffitt Cancer Center

Located in Tampa, Florida, Moffitt Cancer Center is the only Florida-based cancer center with the NCI designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center for its excellence in research and contributions to clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. Moffitt currently has 15 affiliates in Florida, one in Georgia and two in Puerto Rico. Additionally, Moffitt is a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, a prestigious alliance of the country's leading cancer centers, and is listed in U.S. News & World Report as one of "America's Best Hospitals" for cancer and ear, nose and throat. Moffitt's sole mission is to contribute to the prevention and cure of cancer.

Moffitt Cancer Center