and I just had to share and let you all know.


(HealthDayNews) -- A component of green tea helps kill cells of B-
cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the second most common
leukemia in American adults, according to new research.

Mayo Clinic researchers found that the component, called
epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), destroys leukemia cells by
interrupting the communication signals they need to survive. The
research appears online in the journal Blood.

CLL is most often diagnosed in people in their mid-to-late 60s.
Chemotherapy is used to treat the most severe cases, but there is no
cure for CLL.

In this study, the Mayo scientists found that EGCG prompted leukemia
cells to die in eight of 10 patient samples tested in a laboratory.

"We're continuing to look for therapeutic agents that are nontoxic
to the patient but kill cancer cells, and this finding with EGCG is
an excellent start," study leader Dr. Neil E. Kay said in a prepared
statement. "Understanding this mechanism and getting these positive
early results gives us a lot to work with in terms of offering
patients with this disease more effective, easily tolerated
therapies earlier."