A recent study from UCLA published in the 15 February issue of Clinical Cancer Research provides information on how green tea may work. Cancer cells must move to grow into normal tissue (invade). Actin in cells allows movement, and green tea affects actin in cancer cells.
Past epidemiologic studies have suggested that green tea may reduce the incidence of some cancers, including bladder cancer. Though epidemiologic studies are conflicting, animal studies have suggested the extracts of green tea inhibit bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer cells also have abnormal intracellular adhesion (the connection between cells). This abnormality explains why urine cytology is useful in the diagnosis of bladder cancer: the abnormal cells are shed into the urine. Green tea was found to improve cancer cell adhesion as well as improve cell maturation. Read More | Download Patient Consent and Information Form (111KB PDF)Created: 8/23/2005