Monday, August 01, 2011

Signaling: Natural Products in CLL

CLL cells express receptors for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and also secrete VEGF. The resulting constitutive phosphorylation of VEGF receptors was suppressed by the green tea polyphenol epigallocatecin-3-catechate (EGCG), which also induced apoptosis of CLL cells. One phase I trial of the green tea extract polyphenon E reported only one partial remission with low toxicity, although the maximum tolerated dose is unknown.

Curcumin induced apoptosis of CLL cells. The key target of curcumin is unknown, but it decreased expression of several anti-apoptotic proteins, including NF-κB, activated AKT, MCL-1 and XIAP, while increasing expression of pro-apoptotic BIM. Furthermore, sequential administration of EGCG followed by curcumin reversed the expected protective action of stromal cells.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

So, based on the 2-3 published reports and anything else that is known, do you really believe that EGCG has an measurable effect in CLL?
Thanks as always for your posts.

Terry Hamblin said...

My view has always been that green tea can reduce the white count in people who don't need treating.

justme said...

Do you think it can be worthwhile for those with mutated genes take EGCG and Curcumin? Can taking them delay treatment, or even put it off indefintely? What about quality of life; can they affect that? I guess I'd just like to know if it's worth the money to take them; do they (or can they) make any difference, in any way, in the long run? Thanks!:)

Terry Hamblin said...

Not in my judgement