A Phase 2 interventional study of Placebo Administration and Quality-of-Life Assessment in Prostate Carcinoma, sponsored by ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group. Active, not recruiting at 353 sites in 3 countries. Open to participants aged 21 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-04.
Sponsored by ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group · Phase 2, Interventional, and Prevention
This phase II trial studies how well green tea catechins work in preventing progression of prostate cancer from a low risk stage to higher risk stages in men who are on active surveillance. Green tea catechins may stabilize prostate cancer and lower the chance of prostate growing.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:
I. To compare the change in the percent (%) Ki-67 expression in a biopsy core positive for cancer from baseline to end-of-study (EOS) biopsy between men on active surveillance (AS) for prostate cancer (PCa), treated with green tea catechins (GTCs) or placebo for 6 months.
SECONDARY OBJECTIVES:
I. To assess apoptosis by caspase in tumor tissue from EOS biopsy by treatment. II. To assess % Ki-67: Apoptosis ratio from EOS biopsy by treatment. III. To evaluate the number of biopsy cores positive for cancer from EOS biopsy by treatment.
IV. To evaluate the percentage of any biopsy tissue core positive for cancer from EOS biopsy by treatment.
V. To evaluate % Ki-67 in EOS biopsy from the same quadrant matching the quadrant with the highest % Ki-67 at baseline treatment.
VI. To evaluate the Gleason sum from EOS biopsy by treatment. VII. To evaluate the change in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) from baseline to 3 months and to EOS by treatment.
VIII. To evaluate the safety of 6 month administration of GTC assessed by Common Toxicity Criteria (CTC) version 5.0, complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) and liver function toxicities (LFTs) by treatment.
IX. To evaluate the change in geometric mean of % Ki-67 measures in all the cores positive for cancer from baseline to EOS biopsy by treatment.
EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:
I. To evaluate the change in catechin (epigallocatechin gallate [EGCG]) as indicated by change from EGCG measured in plasma from baseline and EOS by treatment.
II. To evaluate the adherence and acceptability to GTC based on the percentage compliance using agent logs (%) and pill counts monthly until EOS by treatment groups.
III. To evaluate the bioavailability of GTC as indicated by change from EGCG measured in plasma from baseline and EOS by treatment groups.
PATIENT REPORTED OUTCOMES OBJECTIVES:
I. To evaluate the change in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) from baseline to 3 months and to EOS using the LUTS scale by treatment groups.
II. To evaluate the change in quality of life (QOL) scores from baseline to 3 months and to EOS using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-Prostate by treatment groups.
OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 arms.
ARM A: Patients receive green tea catechins orally (PO) twice daily (BID) for up to 6 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
ARM B: Patients receive placebo PO BID for up to 6 months.
After completion of study, patients are followed up at approximately 7 days, at 6 months, and then up to 12 months.
7,046 studies on the registry are indexed under Prostatic Neoplasms; 1,580 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 360 is above the median of 60 across 5,348 interventional studies indexed under Prostatic Neoplasms.
Browse Prostatic Neoplasms studies →ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group is the lead sponsor of 122 studies on the registry; 16 are open to participants now.
Of its 13 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 13 (100%) have results posted.
Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.
Inclusion Criteria:
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
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.
Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Biopsy and archival tissue
A biopsy takes a small piece of tissue to examine. “Archival tissue” is a sample already taken, for example at diagnosis, and kept by the hospital.
Whether a stored sample will do depends on when it was taken, how much there is and what the study needs. Ask whether the study accepts your stored sample or needs a new biopsy.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ECOG performance status
A scale of how much an illness limits everyday activity. For people being assessed to join a study, scores run from 0 (fully active) to 4; lower is more active.
Studies most often ask for 0–1 or 0–2. Your doctor gives the score; the WHO scale uses the same steps. The full scale also has 5, which records death.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC)
The number of neutrophils, white blood cells that help fight infection, in a given amount of blood. Too few raises the risk of infection.
It is a count, not a percentage of the white cells. Limits are written in units that mean the same: ≥ 1.5 × 10⁹/L is ≥ 1,500 per mm³ (µL). Each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Platelets
Blood cells that help blood clot. Too few raises the risk of bleeding and bruising. A usual adult range is about 150–400 × 10⁹/L (150,000–400,000 per µL); each lab has its own reference range.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Bilirubin
A yellow substance made when red blood cells are broken down, which the liver clears. A high level can mean a problem with the liver or the bile ducts.
Criteria often allow more for people with Gilbert’s syndrome, a harmless inherited condition that raises bilirubin.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ALT and AST (liver enzymes)
Two enzymes measured in a routine blood test of the liver. Higher levels can mean the liver is under strain or damaged. SGPT and SGOT are older names for ALT and AST.
Criteria usually give a limit as a multiple of the upper limit of normal (ULN), often higher when cancer has spread to the liver.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
ULN (upper limit of normal)
The top of the normal range for a blood test, as set by the laboratory that runs it. Each lab prints its own range next to your result.
“≤ 2.5 × ULN” means the result can be up to two and a half times that top value.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
HIV
The human immunodeficiency virus, which weakens the immune system.
Many studies now accept people whose HIV is controlled on treatment, judged by the viral load and the CD4 count. Check the limits this study sets.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Contraception
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Hepatitis B tests
Hepatitis B is a virus that infects the liver. These are separate tests: HBsAg positive usually means a current infection (a recent vaccination can briefly cause it too); total anti-HBc (HBcAb) positive means an infection now or in the past; HBV DNA measures how much virus is in the blood.
Some studies accept a past infection if HBV DNA is undetectable, sometimes with antiviral medicine during the study. Check what this study allows.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Metastases
Cancer that has spread from where it began to other parts of the body. “Metastatic” cancer is cancer that has spread this way.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Cancer (malignancy)
Malignancy means cancer. Criteria about another or earlier malignancy ask whether you have had a different cancer, usually within a set number of years.
Some are commonly allowed, such as treated skin cancers other than melanoma and early cancers removed completely — check the exceptions this study lists.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Investigational drug or device
A drug or device being studied in a clinical trial.
It may be new, or already approved and being studied for another use, dose or form. Criteria often leave out people who took part in another study of one within a recent period, commonly 30 days or five half-lives.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Patients receive green tea catechins PO BID for up to 6 months in the absence of disease progression or unacceptable toxicity.
Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment · Other: Questionnaire Administration · Drug: Sinecatechins
Patients receive placebo PO BID for up to 6 months.
Drug: Placebo Administration · Other: Quality-of-Life Assessment · Other: Questionnaire Administration
Given PO
Ancillary studies
Also known as: Quality of Life Assessment
Ancillary studies
Given PO
Also known as: Camellia sinensis Leaf Catechins, Kunecatechins, Polyphenon E, Polyphenon E TM, Veregen
Change in the highest percent Ki-67 expression
Measured in a core positive for tumor from baseline to highest percent (%) Ki-67 expression measured in a core positive for tumor in the end of study (EOS) biopsy. This change will be compared between green tea catechins (GTC) and placebo arms. The highest % Ki-67 expressions from baseline and EOS biopsies will be used to estimate the change. If the change is not normally distributed, non-parametric test such as Wilcoxon-rank sum test or two-sample normal score test will be used to compare the changes in percent Ki-67 levels between the GTC and placebo arms.
Time frame: Baseline to 6 months
Apoptosis
Will be assessed by caspase in tumor tissue from EOS biopsy by treatment.
Time frame: Up to 6 months
Apoptosis ratio
Will be evaluated from EOS biopsy by treatment groups. Descriptive statistics with confidence intervals will be presented. For continuous measures, will use two-sample t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test (if non-parametric test is more appropriate) to compare the measurements by treatment.
Time frame: Up to 6 months
Number of biopsy cores positive for cancer at end of study
Descriptive statistics with confidence intervals will be presented. For binary measures, will use Fisher's test.
Time frame: At 6 months
Percent of any biopsy tissue core positive for cancer at end of study
Descriptive statistics with confidence intervals will be presented. For continuous measures, will use two-sample t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test (if non-parametric test is more appropriate) to compare the measurements by treatment.
Time frame: At 6 months
Percent Ki-67
Descriptive statistics with confidence intervals will be presented. For continuous measures, will use two-sample t-test or Wilcoxon rank sum test (if non-parametric test is more appropriate) to compare the measurements by treatment.
Time frame: Up to 6 months
Gleason sum at end of study
Descriptive statistics with confidence intervals will be presented. For binary measures, will use Fisher's test.
Time frame: At 6 months
Change in serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
Will use three mixed models (for PSA, PSA doubling time, and PSA density). For the first two, will log the PSA value. For PSA, will have intercepts and slopes for each patient, an unstructured covariance model, and 2 terms for the intercept and slope associated with the treatment group. For the PSA doubling time, will center the baseline values at 1, and estimate the slopes for each patient (from which the doubling time can be derived), along with a net slope effect for the treatment group. The mixed model for PSA density will be analogous to the one for PSA.
Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months
Incidence of adverse events
Will be assessed by Common Toxicity Criteria version 5.0, complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and liver function toxicities by treatment. All toxicity data will be summarized by category and grade in a standard fashion. Proportions experiencing the most common types of toxicity in this trial will be estimated and 95% confidence intervals calculated. Adverse event rates (such as worst grade 3 or higher) by arm will be estimated and compared.
Time frame: Up to 12 months
Change in geometric mean of percent Ki-67
Descriptive statistics with confidence intervals will be presented. For binary measures, will use Fisher's test.
Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months
Compliance to study drug (standard pill counts)
Compliance to study drug will be evaluated by standard pill counts. Will evaluate percentage compliance to study agent in the study arms using pill counts.
Time frame: Up to 6 months
Compliance to study drug (diet records)
Compliance to study drug will be evaluated by diet records.
Time frame: Up to 6 months
Compliance to study drug (plasma concentrations of GTC)
Compliance to study drug will be evaluated by plasma concentrations of GTC (epigallocatechin gallate \[EGCG\]). For plasma, will assess the change from baseline to end of treatment for GTC (EGCG) to estimate compliance and bioavailability.
Time frame: Up to 6 months
Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) concentrations
Will correlate EGCG concentrations with prostate specific antigen density (PSAD) and prostate specific antigen doubling time (PSADT), using descriptive analysis with scatter plots and regression analysis, and adjusting intervention and known predictors including the stratification factors in multivariable analysis. Will transform to the square root or logarithmic transformation of the data to improve normality of the distributions (determined as the transformation (including untransformed) with the lowest Anderson-Darling normality score).
Time frame: Up to 6 months
Changes in lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)
Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) will be assessed using the American Urological Association Symptom Score for the evaluation, LUTS Symptom Scale. The highest score on the scale is 5, "almost always" and the lowest score on the scale is 0, "not at all".
Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months
Changes in lower urinary tract symptoms
Will assess change in EGCG from baseline to EOS, adherence to GTC, and bioavailability of GTC from baseline to EOS by treatment.
Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months
Changes in quality of life (QOL)
Quality of life will be assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT)-Prostate.
Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months
Changes in quality of life (QOL)
Will assess change in EGCG from baseline to EOS, adherence to GTC, and bioavailability of GTC from baseline to EOS by treatment.
Time frame: Baseline up to 6 months
Showing the first 100 of 353 sites across 3 countries. Choose a country and city above to see the rest.
Started Oct 2021 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Dec 2026, 62 months after the start.
Of 610 non-industry phase 2 interventional studies under Prostatic Neoplasms, half reached primary completion within 57 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 39 and three quarters within 86. This study's planned 62 months is close to that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 724 studies reached it within 53 months; a quarter within 34 and three quarters within 80.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
This study is active, not recruiting, as verified in Sep 2026. You cannot join it, but the record below documents what was studied.
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Studies of the drug tested here: Polyphenon E
ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group →