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Evaluating green tea's effect on prostate cancer progression

A Phase II Randomized Double Blinded Study of Green Tea Catechins (GTC) vs. Placebo in Men on Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer: Modulation of Biological and Clinical Intermediate Biomarkers

Phase 2 Interventional Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group · NCT04597359

This study is testing if green tea can help slow down prostate cancer in men who are closely monitoring their condition.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 2
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment360 (estimated)
Ages21 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorEastern Cooperative Oncology Group Research network
Drugs / interventionschemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation
Locations353 sites (Fairbanks, Alaska and 352 other locations)
Trial IDNCT04597359 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This phase II trial investigates the effectiveness of green tea catechins in preventing the progression of prostate cancer in men who are on active surveillance. The study aims to compare changes in cancer cell proliferation, as indicated by Ki-67 expression, between participants receiving green tea catechins and those receiving a placebo over a six-month period. Secondary objectives include assessing apoptosis in tumor tissue and evaluating changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. The trial involves regular biopsies and safety assessments to monitor the treatment's impact.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are men with biopsy-proven low-risk prostate cancer who are on active surveillance and scheduled for follow-up biopsies.

Not a fit: Patients with high-risk prostate cancer or those not on active surveillance may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide a non-invasive dietary intervention to help stabilize prostate cancer and reduce the risk of progression.

How similar studies have performed: While there have been studies on dietary interventions in cancer treatment, the specific use of green tea catechins for prostate cancer progression is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR PREREGISTRATION (STEP 0: SCREENING)
* Patient must have biopsy-proven (consisting of \>= 12 tissue cores) adenocarcinoma of the prostate with cancer present in at least one biopsy core in the most recent biopsy using initial transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) biopsy or TRUS biopsy followed by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) of the prostate and a confirmatory targeted biopsy
* Patient must be on active surveillance (very low, low and favorable intermediate risk as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network \[NCCN\])
* Patient must be scheduled for a follow up prostate biopsy 6 months after the initiation of treatment on this study
* Patient must have a serum PSA \< 10 ng/mL or prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) \< 0.15 ng/mL/ g obtained within 30 days of registration
* Patient must have an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status 0-1
* Patient must be willing to abstain from consumption of any supplements containing green tea catechins
* Patient must be willing to restrict tea consumption to less than three (3) servings of hot tea or three (3) servings of iced tea per week (serving size of 8 oz)
* Patient must be willing to discontinue current vitamin/mineral supplement use and use one provided by study
* Patient must be willing to take study agent or placebo at the dose specified with meals
* Patient must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document
* Absolute neutrophil count \>= 1,200/mm\^3 (\>= 1.2 k/uL) (obtained within 30 days prior to registration)
* Platelets \>= 75,000/mm\^3 (\>= 75 k/uL) (obtained within 30 days prior to registration)
* Total bilirubin =\< 1.2 mg/dL (or =\< 3.0 mg/dL for patients with Gilbert's syndrome) (obtained within 30 days prior to registration)
* Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase \[SGOT\])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase \[SGPT\]) =\< 1.5 x upper limit of normal (ULN) (obtained within 30 days prior to registration)
* Serum creatinine =\< 1.5 x ULN (obtained within 30 days prior to registration)
* Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients on effective anti-retroviral therapy with undetectable viral load within 6 months are eligible for this trial
* Sexually active males must use an accepted and effective method of double barrier contraception (vasectomy must be combined with a physical barrier method) or abstain from sexual intercourse for the duration of their participation in the study
* Patients must have archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tumor tissue specimen available for Gleason score confirmation and % Ki-67 expression (5% or more) in tumor tissue for eligibility and stratification. Tumor tissue can be submitted any time during screening

  * Tumor tissue specimen has been collected and is ready to ship to H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center \& Research Institute

    * H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center \& Research Institute will perform Gleason score confirmation and % Ki-67 expression (5% or more) in tumor tissue and notify the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group-American College of Radiology Imaging Network (ECOG-ACRIN) Operations Office and submitting institution within 3-4 business days of receipt of the tumor tissue specimen
* INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR RANDOMIZATION (STEP 1)
* Patient must meet all Step 0 eligibility criteria at the time of their registration to Step 1
* Patient must have Gleason score (3+3) or predominant Gleason pattern 3 (3+4), =\< 33% of biopsy cores, and =\< 50% involvement of any biopsy core
* Patient must have % Ki-67 expression of 5% or more in tumor tissue

Exclusion Criteria:

* EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR PREREGISTRATION (STEP 0: SCREENING)
* Patient must not have had prior treatment for prostate cancer, including focal therapy, with surgery, irradiation, local ablative (i.e., cryosurgery or high-intensity focused ultrasound), or androgen deprivation therapy
* Patient must not have a history of renal or hepatic disease, including history of hepatitis B and C
* Patient must not have prostate cancer with distant metastases
* Patient must not have undergone treatment of hormone therapy, immunotherapy, chemotherapy and/or radiation for any malignancies within the past 2 years. Patients with a prior or concurrent malignancy whose natural history or treatment does not have the potential to interfere with the safety or efficacy assessment of the investigational regimen are eligible for this trial
* Patient must not receive any other investigational agents while on this study
* Patient must not have a history of allergic reactions attributed to tea or other compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to green tea extracts

Where this trial is running

Fairbanks, Alaska and 352 other locations

+303 more sites — see ClinicalTrials.gov for the full list.

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
View on ClinicalTrials.gov → Find more trials like this →
Conditions Prostate Carcinoma
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.