Creatine Slowed Melanoma Tumors in Mice as Study Targets 20%-40% Immunotherapy Success
Updated
Updated · ScienceAlert · Jul 25
Creatine Slowed Melanoma Tumors in Mice as Study Targets 20%-40% Immunotherapy Success
1 articles · Updated · ScienceAlert · Jul 25
Summary
Mouse melanoma models given extra creatine showed significantly slower tumor growth, while the study found the compound also boosts dendritic cells that help direct cancer-killing T cells.
UCLA-led researchers reported in iScience that dendritic cells inside tumors had unusually active creatine transporters; cells lacking that transporter died sooner and were worse at activating and training T cells.
That dual effect suggests creatine could strengthen the broader immune machinery behind immunotherapy, which currently works in only about 20%-40% of patients.
Evidence so far comes from mice and lab-grown human cells, and the team said cancer patients should not self-supplement; the next step is clinical trials testing creatine alongside immunotherapy.