A supplement that millions of people use to build muscle may also help the body’s immune system fight cancer, according to new research from UCLA.
The study, published in iScience, found that creatine gives important immune cells extra energy, allowing them to coordinate a stronger attack against tumors. While the discovery is encouraging, the scientists emphasize that it has not yet been tested in cancer patients.
Creatine is a natural substance made by the body and is also found in foods such as meat and fish. It helps cells quickly produce energy, especially during activities that require short bursts of effort.
Because of this, athletes and bodybuilders have used creatine supplements safely for many years. Scientists are now discovering that immune cells may also depend on creatine when fighting disease.
One of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment is that tumors often weaken the immune system. Modern immunotherapy tries to reactivate immune cells so they can destroy cancer, but many patients receive little benefit.
Researchers believe that strengthening the entire immune system, rather than only one type of immune cell, could improve these treatments.
The UCLA researchers concentrated on dendritic cells, which are often described as the teachers of the immune system. These cells identify cancer, process information about it, and then instruct killer T cells where to attack. If dendritic cells lack enough energy, the whole immune response becomes weaker.
The team discovered that dendritic cells inside tumors actively increased their ability to absorb creatine. When scientists removed the protein responsible for transporting creatine into these cells, the dendritic cells became weaker, survived for a shorter time, and struggled to activate killer T cells. This led to a much smaller immune response.
The opposite happened when creatine was added. Mice receiving creatine developed slower-growing melanoma tumors. Their dendritic cells became more active and attracted additional immune cells into the tumors.
Laboratory studies using human immune cells produced similar results, suggesting that creatine may also improve the development of dendritic-cell vaccines.
The researchers found that creatine worked by increasing ATP, the main energy source used by cells. They compared creatine to a rechargeable battery that allows dendritic cells to store energy and continue working even in the nutrient-poor environment created by tumors.
Although creatine supplements are generally considered safe for healthy adults when taken as recommended, this research should not be interpreted as evidence that people with cancer should begin taking creatine.
The experiments involved mice and isolated human cells, not patients receiving treatment. Human clinical trials are still required to determine whether creatine truly improves immunotherapy and whether it is safe for different cancer types and treatments.
Study review and analysis: This study opens an interesting new direction in cancer research by focusing on the metabolism of immune cells rather than directly targeting cancer cells. The findings are scientifically convincing for laboratory research, but they remain early-stage evidence.
Animal studies often lead to important discoveries, yet many do not produce the same results in people. Future clinical trials will determine whether creatine can become a useful addition to cancer immunotherapy. Until then, patients should continue following treatments recommended by their healthcare team.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that artificial sweeteners are linked to higher cancer risk, and how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease and cancer.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the best time to take vitamins to prevent heart disease, and results showing vitamin D supplements strongly reduces cancer death.
Source: University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
