DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Diagnosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and/or smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM)

  • Measurable monoclonal protein in the serum (≥ 1.0 g/dL) and/or urine (≥ 500 mg/24 hrs)

• No confirmed symptomatic multiple myeloma, defined by any of the following:

  • Lytic lesions on skeletal survey
  • Anemia attributable to plasma cell infiltrate in marrow
  • Hypercalcemia
  • Renal dysfunction not attributable to other causes

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Life expectancy ≥ 6 months
• ANC ≥ 1,500/mm^3
• Platelet count ≥ 100,000/mm^3
• Hemoglobin ≥ 9 mg/dL
• ALT and AST normal
• Total bilirubin normal
• Alkaline phosphatase normal
• Not pregnant or nursing
• Negative pregnancy test
• Fertile patients must use effective contraception during and for 30 days after completion of study treatment
• Willing to comply with oral home treatment and visit schedule

• No concurrent uncontrolled illness including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  • Active infection
  • Symptomatic congestive heart failure
  • Unstable angina pectoris
  • Cardiac arrhythmia
  • Psychiatric illness or social situation that would compromise compliance with study medication or follow-up visits
• No chronic liver disease (e.g., hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or alcoholic cirrhosis)
• No high predisposition to gastrointestinal bleeding (e.g., known gastroesophageal varices or active peptic ulcer disease)
• No adverse symptoms related to green tea or any of the inactive components present in Polyphenon E capsules

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• More than 6 months since prior daily ingestion of green tea or green tea extract
• At least 4 weeks since prior therapy
• No other concurrent investigational or commercial agents or therapies with the intent to treat MGUS and/or SMM