Creatine, a substance naturally produced by the body, is widely recognized as a ‘muscle supplement’ that enhances the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy source essential for all cells. However, could it offer additional health benefits?
A recent study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, published in iScience, expands on earlier findings that demonstrate creatine’s ability to support more efficient attacks by killer T cells against cancer, the body’s primary defense mechanism.
The study’s latest insight reveals that creatine also functions as a reserve energy source for dendritic cells, the supporting cells that guide T cells in their fight.
Creatine has the potential to significantly enhance immunotherapies that train killer T cells in the immune system to eliminate cancer. Although these therapies are powerful, they are only effective in about 20–40 percent of patients.
“What this study shows is that creatine doesn’t just help the T cells fighting cancer – it also energizes the entire infrastructure that supports and guides them,” says immunologist Lili Yang. “That makes creatine a promising supplement to holistically support the immune response that modern immunotherapies depend on.”
The research began with an examination of cancer tumors in mice, focusing on the nutrient-related genes most active in the dendritic cells within those tumors. They discovered that the creatine transporter, which is responsible for absorbing creatine, was significantly more active in these cells compared to those in healthy tissue.
Dendritic cells cultivated in the lab without this creatine transporter deteriorated more rapidly and were less effective in activating and training T cells to combat cancer. Consequently, the T cells relying on this support network also weakened.
To further validate creatine’s impact, researchers increased creatine levels in mouse models of melanoma, which led to a marked slowdown in tumor growth and an increase in dendritic cell numbers and activity.
“Together, these findings uncover a previously unrecognized role for creatine metabolism in regulating dendritic cell function and support the use of creatine supplementation as a strategy to augment dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapy,” write the researchers in their published paper.
Currently, evidence is only available from mouse models and lab-grown human cells, indicating that more research is necessary. However, there is reason to believe that additional creatine could enhance both the cancer-fighting abilities of killer T cells and the dendritic cells that identify tumor fragments and mobilize the immune system.
“Understanding how to metabolically support dendritic cells is about supporting the entire anti-tumor response, not just the killer T cells at the end of it,” says molecular biologist Elliot Kang.
The researchers emphasize that cancer patients should not take creatine supplements or any specialized medication without consulting a doctor. While these findings are promising, much more testing is required.
Although creatine is generally considered safe at recommended supplement doses, individual health profiles play a significant role. The researchers plan to conduct clinical trials to add what’s currently missing from this research. These trials will involve testing various levels of creatine treatment in patients already undergoing immunotherapy for cancer to assess potential effects.
If these trials confirm the study’s findings, creatine could make a substantial difference. It’s already known to be affordable, widely available, and used as a supplement for treating rare metabolic disorders or deficiencies.
With a creatine boost, the success rate of immunotherapy treatments might increase favorably.
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“The potential we see here is that creatine could be used in two complementary ways,” says microbiologist James Elsten-Brown. “As a supplement to enhance the immune response of patients already receiving immunotherapy, and as a tool to improve the quality of dendritic cell-based vaccines before they’re administered.”
The research has been published in iScience.
This article was fact-checked by Clare Watson and edited by Rebecca Dyer. While we pride ourselves on our process, we are only human. If you spot a mistake, please let us know.
