Creatine Shows Promise in Boosting Immune System’s Fight Against Cancer

UCLA researchers have discovered that creatine—a popular sports supplement—can enhance the function of dendritic cells, key players in the immune response against cancer.

A study published in iScience found that creatine helps energize these specialized immune cells, improving their ability to capture tumor fragments and direct killer T cells to attack. The research was conducted in mouse models and human cells.

How Dendritic Cells Fight Cancer

Dendritic cells are the immune system's guides. They capture pieces of tumors and present them to killer T cells, effectively telling them, “This is the target—attack.”

The study found that creatine supports energy levels in dendritic cells, improving their survival, activation, and ability to prime T cells for action.

Key Findings

• In mouse models of melanoma, daily creatine injections slowed tumor growth and increased the abundance and activation of tumor-infiltrating dendritic cells.

• Creatine treatment enhanced activation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells and improved their ability to stimulate T cells against a cancer-associated target.

Why This Matters

Current immunotherapies that target T cells directly have a response rate of only 20-40%. By boosting the dendritic cells that guide those T cells, creatine could help improve outcomes for more patients.

Lili Yang, senior author: “Creatine doesn't just help T cells fighting cancer—it also energizes the entire infrastructure that supports and guides them.”

James Elsten-Brown, co-first author: Creatine could be used as a supplement to enhance immune response in patients and to improve dendritic cell-based vaccines.

Elliot Kang, co-first author: “Understanding how to metabolically support dendritic cells is about supporting the entire anti-tumor response.”

Important Limitations

The study was conducted in cells and mice, not patients. No dietary or medical recommendations should be drawn from this research at this time.

Clinical trials are needed before any conclusions can be made about human use.

Funding & Next Steps

The research was supported by the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center, UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center Ablon Scholars Program, and the Tower Cancer Research Foundation. A patent application has been filed.