Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Study of green tea extract inconclusive

Posted by boocat @boocat, Feb 20, 2021

I just want to tell my story about CLL. I was diagnosed in December 2012 with it and my son found your report on a study you had done with EGCG and Vitamin D3. I printed it out and read it and started on those 2 things immediately. I've been taking them every since and I haven't had to be treated for CLL yet. I see my cancer doctor twice a year and have blood tests twice a year and while my white cell count is high, I haven't had to be treated for CLL yet. I'm so thankful for your study and that my son found it and told me about it. I am 76 years old and have had over 8 more years than I thought I would when I was diagnosed and I think you should broadcast to the world about that study. I realize not everyone will respond the way I have but you could be saving lots of lives and helping lots of others to find a way to help themselves. Thank you so much for your studies.

UPDATE FROM THE COMMUNITY DIRECTOR
Mayo Clinic cannot recommend that EGCG be used by CLL patients. Green tea trials haven't been conclusive, and this subject requires more study before doctors can agree on the merits of this treatment.

– Evidence for and Against Green Tea and Turmeric in the Management of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7397615/

"From the reported data, our current recommendation is to avoid green tea, both as EGCG and as an extract, usage by CLL patients, especially those with any history of liver or gastrointestinal disease or receiving CLL-directed therapy. The current research for green tea in CLL has demonstrated minimal activity in terms of objective responses, mostly in asymptomatic, early-stage patients who would not normally warrant CLL-directed therapy by the International working group CLL criteria.44 In addition, the current data support the occurrence of significant adverse events (even with limited exposure) associated with green tea, especially its extracts and EGCG. This is especially concerning when most patients who consume green tea extracts/EGCG are asymptomatic from the perspective of their underlying disease. At present, we could not identify ongoing trials for green tea or green tea extract in CLL patients."

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Blood Cancers & Disorders Support Group.

Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Aug 19, 2022

In reply to @mmpopovich "Question: Which "product" is safe to take and at what level/strength? I was just diagnosed with..." + (show)

Hi @mmpopovich, Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I’m happy to see you’ve reached out to members of our great forum for information about your newly diagnosed Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma and the use of green tea extract. As another member, @minnesotajim suggested, it’s best at this point to discuss everything with your hematologist before you start taking any supplements.

SLL is generally a slowly progressing disease referred to as a “smoldering” form of leukemia. It’s frequently a ‘watch and wait’ situation with no active treatment initially.

I’ve posted a couple of links below to provide you with a little more information on your condition.

https://www.leukaemia.org.au/blood-cancer-information/types-of-blood-cancer/lymphoma/non-hodgkin-lymphoma/small-lymphocytic-lymphoma/https://www.webmd.com/cancer/lymphoma/small-lymphocytic-lymphoma-cancer

What has your hematologist discussed with you regarding your diagnosis and treatment?

valeriewiegand | @valeriewiegand | Nov 26, 2022

has anyone discussed the green tea extract-(10,000 mg daily) massive effect on cll ? 7 years- only change is wbc has gone from 21000 to 35000-all other blood counts same or lower- now only taking 5,000=
my oncologist refuses to acknowledge as well.

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 26, 2022

In reply to @valeriewiegand "has anyone discussed the green tea extract-(10,000 mg daily) massive effect on cll ? 7 years-..." + (show)

Hi @valeriewiegand. I moved your question about the potential positive effects of green tea on CLL to this existing discussion:
– Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Mayo study on green tea extract (EGCG) https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/chronic-lyphocetic-leukemia/

I did this so you can read the previous posts and connect with members like @aprilb @boocat @minnesotajim @nancyal and others.

In short, a green tea extract has shown some promise in initial clinical trials for treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Laboratory research determined that a compound in green tea extract, called EGCG, can kill chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells. A study of people with early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia found that EGCG in pill form reduced some signs of the disease. But green tea trials haven't been conclusive, and this subject requires more study before doctors can agree on the merits of this treatment.

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 26, 2022

In reply to @valeriewiegand "has anyone discussed the green tea extract-(10,000 mg daily) massive effect on cll ? 7 years-..." + (show)

@valeriewiegand I do not have CLL, but am dealing with multiple myeloma. Here is an article from Mount Sinai about teas and how they interact with different conditions. Here's betting you will find some interesting information! What do you think?
https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/green-tea
Ginger

valeriewiegand | @valeriewiegand | Nov 27, 2022

In reply to @gingerw "@valeriewiegand I do not have CLL, but am dealing with multiple myeloma. Here is an article..." + (show)

hi ginger-thank you for this-was not aware of all of the other goodies associated with EGCG and green tea- are you taking this now ?
please keep in touch -thank you, valerie

jam5 | @jam5 | Nov 27, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "Hi @me81 and @living, the studies conducted were specific to early-stage chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and..." + (show)

Can EGCG interfere with blood thinners for AFIB?

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Nov 27, 2022

In reply to @valeriewiegand "hi ginger-thank you for this-was not aware of all of the other goodies associated with EGCG..." + (show)

Valerie, I decided to not do green tea at all, unless I am eating out at a Chinese restaurant and that is what they serve. I take that chance, along with all the rest of the Chinese food no-nos high sodium, etc.
Ginger

Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Nov 27, 2022

In reply to @jam5 "Can EGCG interfere with blood thinners for AFIB?" + (show)

@jam5, that's a really important question to ask your cardiologist. There's a lot of conflicting information about there about green tea, a-fib and blood thinners. Some studies have shown that green tea might reduce the incidence of atrial fibrilation. With some blood thinners, green tea should not be used. Newer blood thinners have fewer dietary restrictions.

You should check with your cardiologist and/or pharmacist.

jam5 | @jam5 | Nov 27, 2022

In reply to @colleenyoung "@jam5, that's a really important question to ask your cardiologist. There's a lot of conflicting information..." + (show)

Colleen,
Thank you too often medications, supplements advised without full appreciation for medication interactions/contraindications ( i.e. Paxlovid ).

sandradonkerduyvis | @sandradonkerduyvis | Jan 20, 2023

In reply to @boocat "The study used EGCG and Vitamin D3. That's what I've been taking for 8 years and..." + (show)

Dear Boocat, I have CLL and want to take the EGCG. I have read somewhere that the amount EGCG in this Mayo clinic experiment per day is 2 times 2 gram. Is that correct? and where can I get such high concentrate EGCG? Hope to hear from you. Kind regards Sandra