EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate)

EGCG inhibits PI3K/mTOR for proliferation ↓, DNMT for epigenetic reactivation, MMPs/VEGF for anti-invasion/angiogenesis, + apoptosis ↑ via Bax/NF-κB. Strong clinical support in lung/CRC/breast/prostate/pancreatic; safe at 200–1200 mg/day but monitor LFTs/CYP.

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Human-reviewed · How we review →

AI extractedhuman reviewedsources checkedretractions suppressed

🏥⭐⭐⭐⭐ Moderate to Strong — Strong preclinical/mechanistic data, Moderate clinical data. Supported by multiple RCTs and meta-analyses, especially for colorectal and lung cancers.Epigallocatechin GallateEpigallocatechin-3-gallateGreen Tea Catechin

Forms: Oral capsules/extracts (supplement, 200–800 mg EGCG)

Educational only, not medical advice. OncoForge makes no claim that EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) treats, prevents, or cures any condition, beyond what the linked studies show. Evidence levels vary; effects may not translate to people, and some compounds can cause harm. Always coordinate with your oncology team.

Key Takeaway

Green tea extract that may turn tumor-suppressing genes back on and block blood supply to tumors, while slowing cancer growth and triggering cell death, with evidence from human trials.

Evidence at a glance

Tier 4 · clinicalLungBreastColorectalProstatePancreatic

Moderate-strong clinical (RCTs, meta-analyses) + robust preclinical; especially preventive/adjunct in CRC/lung/prostate.

How it may work

EGCG, the primary catechin in green tea, inhibits PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling, reducing cell proliferation and survival. It acts as a DNMT inhibitor, demethylating tumor suppressor genes (e.g., p16, MGMT) to restore their expression. EGCG suppresses MMP-2 and MMP-9, limiting tumor invasion and metastasis, and downregulates VEGF to inhibit angiogenesis. It also induces apoptosis by upregulating Bax, activating caspases, and modulating NF-κB pathways. Clinical studies show enhanced chemotherapy efficacy.

Targets & pathways

Curated mechanistic targets reported for this agent — how it may act on cells, not proof of a clinical effect.

PI3K/Akt/mTOR↓Reduces proliferation/survival signaling
DNMT↓Demethylates tumor suppressors (p16, MGMT)
MMP-2/-9↓Limits invasion/metastasis
VEGF↓Inhibits angiogenesis
Apoptosis↑Bax ↑, caspases activation, NF-κB modulation

PI3KDNMTMMPVEGF

Often studied / combined with

Combinations reported in the literature, not a protocol or a recommendation.

Doxorubicin / Chemotherapy: Efficacy enhancement via apoptosis.
Curcumin: PI3K/apoptosis in breast.
Resveratrol: DNMT/angiogenesis in CRC.
Quercetin: MMP inhibition in prostate.

Overlapping mechanisms

PI3K ↓ / MMP ↓ / VEGF ↓: Avoid excess stacking with other PI3K/MMP/anti-angiogenic agents; risk GI/CYP overload without added benefit.

Safety & interactions

Severity and how well-established each signal is are shown separately. Verify everything with your oncologist or pharmacist — absence here does not mean safe.

Risk categories

Hepatotoxicity Risk MildGi Upset MildCaffeine ContentPregnancy Caution

Potential interactions

CYP450 substrates (e.g., tamoxifen, bortezomib)MonitorModerateTheoreticalEGCG inhibits CYP3A4/1A2; may alter drug levels.
Bortezomib / Other proteasome inhibitorsMonitorModerateTheoreticalPotential antagonism in some cancers; synergy in others.
Chemotherapy (e.g., doxorubicin)ConsiderBeneficialTheoreticalEnhances efficacy via apoptosis/angiogenesis inhibition.
Curcumin / Resveratrol / QuercetinConsiderBeneficialTheoreticalSynergistic PI3K/DNMT/MMP/apoptosis in breast/CRC/prostate.

Timing

With meals: Improves absorption, reduces GI upset.
Divided doses: BID-TID for steady levels; avoid bedtime if caffeinated.

References

Research

No published studies for EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) yet

New studies appear here once they’ve been reviewed. Browse all studies.

Dose: as studied, not a recommendation

These are doses as studied or reported, never a recommendation. The right amount of EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) depends on you, your other medicines, and your situation; decide it with your oncology team and pharmacist, not from a web page.

Ranges seen in adjunct / practice use: 200–1200 mg (po) Typical: 200–800 mg/day divided (e.g., 400 mg BID). Trials: 400 mg TID (1200 mg/day) in breast; 800 mg/day in prostate; up to 1 g/m² TID (~2000 mg/day) tolerated short-term. Safe bolus: ≤338 mg/day., From green tea extract supplements standardized to EGCG. Divided doses with meals. Higher doses (e.g., 1200+ mg) in trials but monitor LFTs. Bioavailability low; consider piperine or nano-forms for enhancement. Not Rx; quality varies—third-party tested..

Trials studying EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate)

5 recruiting on ClinicalTrials.gov. Recruiting is not the same as proven. Search ClinicalTrials.gov →

EGCG for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Chemoprevention
NCT06015022Phase 2Recruiting
Vitamin D, Epigallocatechin Gallate, D-chiro-inositol and Vitamin B6 in Uterine Fibroid
NCT05448365Recruiting
The Effect of the Association EGCG, Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 in Preventing the Persistence of HPV Infection.
NCT06285357Recruiting
Reducing Frailty for Older Cancer Survivors Using Supplements II
NCT06068543Phase 2Recruiting
Phase II Study of Dysplasix™ Intravaginal Suppositories in Patients Patients With High-Risk HPV and Mild Cervical Cytologic Abnormalities
NCT07572396Phase 2Recruiting

Trials studying EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate)

Loading current trials from ClinicalTrials.gov… Search ClinicalTrials.gov →

Appears in these protocol claims

EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) is named in these protocols discussed online. Listed for transparency: being part of a protocol is not evidence that it works, and OncoForge does not endorse them.

Jane McLelland / Metabolic Blocking Claims : Multi-pathway metabolic strategy based around starving cancer fuel routes and blocking escape pathways.

Inclusion here is not an endorsement. OncoForge makes no claim beyond what the linked studies show. Discuss anything on this page with your oncology team before acting on it.

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