A Mayo Clinic phase 2 trial of green tea extract (EGCG) in chronic lymphocytic leukemia found measurable biological responses in a majority of patients. The trial had no placebo group.
Can green tea actually affect cancer cells?
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic studied EGCG, which is a major catechin in green tea. They looked at 42 patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and what they found was pretty amazing. 31% had a sustained reduction of at least 20% in their absolute lymphocyte count.
But look at the lymph nodes directly. Among the 29 patients who had enlarged measurable lymph nodes, up to 69% experienced at least a 50% reduction in the surface area of their lymph nodes. Overall, 69% met the researchers' definition of a biological response.
This was only a phase 2 study and was not leveraged against placebo. But one of the world's most commonly consumed plants contains a compound that has measurable biological responses in actual cancer patients. That's a response we're studying.
Here's the research. You decide.
Educational research summary, not medical advice. Talk with your oncologist and pharmacist before starting, stopping or changing any treatment or supplement.