Selective death of cancer cells by preferential induction of reactive oxygen species in response to (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate

► EGCG induces preferential regulation of p21, p53 and hTERT in cancer cells. ► DNMT1 down-regulation by EGCG results in hTERT-mediated cell death in cancer cells. ► Selective cell death is induced by preferential induction of ROS in cancer cells.