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Green Tea Fights the Deadly Skin Cancer,
Melanoma
Background: Melanoma is a potentially
deadly form of skin cancer that begins in the skin's pigment cells. In advanced
cases, it spreads to the internal organs and is extremely hard to treat.
Study description: Researchers looked at
the effects of EGCg on two melanoma cell lines, as well as on normal
pigment-producing skin cells.
Type of study: "Test-tube"
What happened: The growth and viability of both
melanoma cells lines decreased as concentrations of EGCg increased. Cell
multiplication decreased, "cell suicide" increased, and colony formation was
inhibited.
Interestingly, the normal pigment-producing cells were not
affected, even when exposed to the same concentrations of EGCg.
Researchers' conclusion: "Thus, EGCg,
alone or in conjunction with current therapies, could be useful for the
management of melanoma."
Citation:
Nihal M, Ahmad N, Mukhtar H, Wood GS. Anti-proliferative and proapoptotic
effects of (-)-epigallocatchin-3-gallate on human melanoma: possible
implications for the chemoprevention of melanoma. International Journal of
Cancer 2005;114(4):513-21.
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Nadine Taylor, M.S., R.D. presents
GreenTeaLibrary.com,
the most comprehensive collection of scientific information
describing the health benefits of green tea.
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