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UCLA Study Links Creatine to Stronger Immune Response Against Tumors in Mice
Researchers at UCLA Health Sciences reported that creatine supported dendritic cells in activating cancer-fighting T cells in laboratory and mouse experiments. The findings do not show that creatine supplements improve outcomes for cancer patients. Further human studies are required before any clinical recommendations can be made.
Jul 10, 5:00 AM·1m read2 sources
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A UCLA Health Sciences study found that creatine increased the activity of dendritic cells, which help activate T cells that identify and attack tumors. Experiments showed that dendritic cells inside mouse tumors produced higher levels of a creatine transporter protein.
When researchers removed the protein, the cells survived less time and activated fewer T cells. Daily creatine injections in mice with melanoma slowed tumor growth and raised the number of active dendritic cells inside the tumors.
The same team tested creatine on human dendritic cells grown in the laboratory. Adding creatine increased cell activation and improved their ability to stimulate T cells against a cancer-related target. Researchers measured higher ATP levels, the molecule cells use for energy, after creatine exposure.
They described creatine as helping dendritic cells store and release energy inside the nutrient-poor environment of a tumor.
The authors stated that creatine could eventually be tested as a supplement for patients already receiving immunotherapy or as a way to improve dendritic cell-based cancer vaccines. James Elsten-Brown, first author of the study, told Newsweek that the work suggests a functional benefit from increased creatine but that no clinical study has yet demonstrated this effect in patients.
Lili Yang, senior author and UCLA professor, said in a statement that creatine energizes the infrastructure that supports and guides T cells. Dr. Selda Samakoglu, chief medical officer at Aveta Biomics, compared dendritic cells to military intelligence officers that collect evidence and direct T cells to attack tumors.
