GREEN TEA DECREASES LUNG CANCER RISK, ACCORDING TO STUDY BY ZHANG ET AL., NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE

 

A study by Zhang et al, concluded that accumulating observational studies support that green tea consumption can decrease lung cancer risk. [1] 

Green tea consumption decreases lung cancer risk

Green tea consumption is known to decrease lung cancer risk in the general population, as indicated by the meta-analyses of observational studies. [1] 

Green tea

Green tea is a popular beverage worldwide and has numerous health-promoting properties. According to Zhang et al., accumulating evidence indicates that green tea has preventive and therapeutic effects on lung cancer. The Zhang et al. study aimed to investigate the association between green tea consumption and lung cancer. [1] The researchers performed a narrative review to summarize the association between green tea consumption and lung cancer.

Theabrownin and EGCG mediate anti-tumour activity

Two active components of green tea, theabrownin and (-) -epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) mediate the anti-tumour activity of green tea. [1] 

Theabrownin promotes apoptosis, induces cell cycle arrest, and inhibits the migration, clone formation, and proliferation of lung cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. EGCG inhibits lung cancer cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis, agenesis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). 

Further, EGCG sensitizes lung cancer cells to cisplatin and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). The possible molecular mechanisms underlying the antitumour activity of EGCG and theabrownin were reviewed. [1]

In vitro studies demonstrated that EGCG and theabrownin can inhibit the growth, EMT, stemness and angiogenesis of lung cancer and promote apoptosis. [1]

Anti-cancer activity

EGCG also showed anti-cancer activity in a lung cancer sufferer. [1] In a phase I trial of patients with locally advanced stage III NSCLC who received chemotherapy (cisplatin and etoposide) and radiation, oral administration of EGCG did not cause dose-limiting toxicities and could reduce the pain score of patients. [1]  

Esophagitis regression

Dramatic regression of esophagitis to grade 0-1 was observed in >90% of the patients.[1] These results indicated that EGCG is safe and effective in improving lung cancer patients' quality. [1] 

In addition, some studies also revealed that the derivates of EGCG also exert anti-lung cancer activity. [1]

Notably, most of the clinical evidence came from observational studies. [1] 

[1] National Library of Medicine, Journal of Thoracic Disease. Zhang et al., Preventive and therapeutic effects of green tea on lung cancer: a narrative review of evidence from clinical and basic research. 2022. doi: 10.21037/jtd-22-1791

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9840036/

With thanks to ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Image courtesy of ChatGPT and CN Whittle "Countryside teatime at an open window" 

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