By Morgan Nwanguma
Creatine, a dietary supplement widely used by athletes and bodybuilders to boost strength and performance, may also enhance the immune system’s ability to fight cancer, according to a new study by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
Researchers found that creatine can strengthen a critical cancer-fighting pathway by boosting the activity of dendritic cells—specialized immune cells responsible for detecting tumours and activating killer T cells, which destroy cancerous cells. The findings, published in iScience, suggest that creatine could one day improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy, although the approach has not yet been tested in human patients.
The study builds on earlier research from the same UCLA laboratory showing that creatine enhances the function of cancer-fighting T cells. In the latest work, scientists discovered that the supplement also energizes dendritic cells, providing broader support for the body’s anti-cancer immune response.
Many modern immunotherapies are designed to activate killer T cells, but only about 20 to 40 percent of patients experience significant benefits. Researchers believe that improving the performance of dendritic cells—which coordinate and direct T-cell responses—could help more patients respond successfully to these treatments.
According to Professor Lili Yang, senior author of the study and a member of UCLA’s Eli and Edythe Broad Centre of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, creatine appears to strengthen not only the T cells that attack tumours but also the immune network that supports and guides them. This broader effect could make creatine a valuable complement to existing immunotherapies.
To investigate creatine’s role, researchers analysed dendritic cells that had infiltrated tumours in mice. They found that these cells exhibited elevated activity of the gene responsible for producing the creatine transporter, a protein that enables cells to absorb creatine.
The team then engineered dendritic cells lacking this transporter. Without access to creatine, the cells showed reduced survival, lower activity levels and a diminished ability to prepare T cells to recognise and attack tumours. Laboratory experiments further revealed that T cells exposed to these creatine-deficient dendritic cells multiplied less effectively and produced fewer immune-signalling molecules essential for mounting a strong anti-cancer response.
The researchers next examined whether increasing creatine availability could have the opposite effect. In mouse models of melanoma, daily creatine injections significantly slowed tumour growth. The treatment also increased both the number and activity of dendritic cells within tumours and enhanced the release of chemical signals that attract additional immune cells to the tumour site.
Further analyses showed that creatine supplementation raised intracellular levels of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy source that powers cellular functions. By increasing ATP reserves, creatine helped sustain the inflammatory signalling pathways required for dendritic cell activation and function.
Scientists likened creatine’s role to that of a rechargeable battery, enabling dendritic cells to store and access energy when needed, even while competing with rapidly growing cancer cells for nutrients.
The research team also explored the effects of creatine on human immune cells. In laboratory studies, the supplement improved the activation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells, which are commonly used in the development of dendritic cell cancer vaccines. Creatine also enhanced these cells’ ability to stimulate human T cells against cancer-related targets.
These findings suggest that incorporating creatine during the production of dendritic cell vaccines could potentially improve the effectiveness of such therapies.
James Elsten-Brown, a graduate student and co-first author of the study, noted that creatine may have dual applications: as a supplement to support immune responses in patients receiving immunotherapy and as a tool to enhance the quality of dendritic cell-based vaccines before administration.
The researchers believe the study highlights the importance of supporting dendritic cells metabolically, thereby strengthening the entire anti-tumour immune response rather than focusing solely on killer T cells.
Despite the promising results, the scientists emphasise that the findings remain preliminary. The experiments were conducted in mice and laboratory-grown human cells, meaning there is currently no evidence that creatine supplements improve cancer treatment outcomes in people.
Although creatine monohydrate is widely regarded as safe when used at recommended doses, the researchers advise cancer patients to consult their healthcare providers before taking any supplement.
The next phase of research will involve prospective clinical trials to determine whether creatine supplementation can improve outcomes in patients undergoing cancer immunotherapy. The experimental approaches described in the study have not yet been tested in humans or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for cancer treatment.
The research received support from several UCLA and cancer research funding programmes. In addition, the potential therapeutic strategy identified in the study is the subject of a patent application filed by the UCLA Technology Development Group on behalf of the Regents of the University of California.
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