Efficacy of oral epigallocatechin-3-gallate solution administration during radiotherapy for non-small-cell lung cancer patients: a long-term observational study

Abstract Background and purpose: Several studies have found that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) can alleviate acute radiation-induced esophagitis, inhibit pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis, and reduce the severity of cardiovascular disease. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the influence of EGCG on late radiation toxicity in the heart, esophagus, and lungs among patients with locally advanced lung cancer. Methods and materials The patients were divided into an EGCG group and a control group, the groups received EGCG and symptomatic treatment, respectively. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group/European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Late Radiation Morbidity Scoring Scheme was used to determine the late toxicity scores. Tumor responses were evaluated by chest computed tomography, based on the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1. Results We retrospectively analyzed 74 patients treated at our hospital from September 2012 to September 2016 (37 patients received EGCG and 37 received supportive treatment). The late toxicity scores of the EGCG group decreased compared to those of the control group. An obvious clinical significance was observed for the oral EGCG solution in the treatment and prevention of late cardiac, esophageal, and pulmonary toxicity. However, no significant difference was found (P > 0.05). The tumor response rates were similar in the two groups. Moreover, there was no difference in progression-free survival (PFS) between the groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Oral EGCG solution might alleviate radiation-induced late cardiac, esophageal, and pulmonary toxicity but has no significant effect on the tumor response rate and PFS following radiotherapy.