New insights into the mechanisms of green tea catechins in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer

Nutr Cancer. 2012;64(1):4-22. doi: 10.1080/01635581.2012.630158. Epub 2011 Nov 18.

Abstract

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second most common cause of cancer deaths in American men. Its long latency, slow progression, and high incidence rate make prostate cancer ideal for targeted chemopreventative therapies. Therefore, chemoprevention studies and clinical trials are essential for reducing the burden of prostate cancer on society. Epidemiological studies suggest that tea consumption has protective effects against a variety of human cancers, including that of the prostate. Laboratory and clinical studies have demonstrated that green tea components, specifically the green tea catechin (GTC) epigallocatechin gallate, can induce apoptosis, suppress progression, and inhibit invasion and metastasis of prostate cancer. Multiple mechanisms are involved in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer with GTCs; understanding and refining models of fundamental molecular pathways by which GTCs modulate prostate carcinogenesis is essential to apply the utilization of green tea for the chemoprevention of prostate cancer in clinical settings. The objective of this article is to review and summarize the most current literature focusing on the major mechanisms of GTC chemopreventative action on prostate cancer from laboratory, in vitro, and in vivo studies, and clinical chemoprevention trials.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Catechin / analogs & derivatives
  • Catechin / pharmacology*
  • Cell Cycle Checkpoints / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / prevention & control*
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Tea / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anticarcinogenic Agents
  • NF-kappa B
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Tea
  • Catechin
  • epigallocatechin gallate