Molecular basis for the anti-cancer activity of egcg in vivo: Molecular-targeting prevention of cancer by green tea catechin

For the past two decades, many researchers have been investigated the potential cancer-preventive and therapeutic effects of green tea. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate (EGCG) has been shown to be the most active and major polyphenolic compound from green tea. The mechanisms of action of EGCG have been extensively investigated, but the mechanisms for the cancer-preventive activity of EGCG are not completely characterized and many features remain to be elucidated. Recently we have identified 67-kDa laminin receptor (67LR) as a cell-surface EGCG receptor that confers EGCG responsiveness to many cancer cells at physiological concentrations. This article reviews some of the reported mechanisms and possible targets for the action of EGCG. Especially, we focus the current understanding of signaling pathway for physiologically relevant EGCG through the 67LR for cancer prevention. This information shed new light on the molecular basis for the cancer-preventive activity of EGCG in vivo and helps in the design of new strategies to prevent cancer.