Creatine, the supplement well known among athletes, may have an effect on cancer. Indeed, researchers at UCLA have discovered that it doesn't just strengthen the famous killer T cells, but also boosts dendritic cells, the conductors of the immune response against cancer. A real surprise.
Dendritic cells play an essential role: they detect tumor signals, process them, then activate T cells to attack. Until now, most immunotherapies focused solely on T cells, which may explain why only 20 to 40% of patients respond. By improving the function of dendritic cells, the effectiveness of these treatments could be broadened.
The team first observed that dendritic cells present in mouse tumors produced far more creatine transporters than those in healthy tissues. When this transporter was suppressed, they became less active, less able to activate T cells. Conversely, daily injections of creatine slowed tumor growth in melanoma models, increasing both the number and activity of dendritic cells.
How does creatine work? Metabolic analysis showed that it increased ATP levels, the main source of cellular energy. This allows dendritic cells to maintain their activity even when competing with voracious tumor cells. Researchers compare creatine to a rechargeable battery that ensures a stable energy supply.
Results on human dendritic cells are equally promising: a creatine treatment improved their activation and ability to stimulate T cells against a cancer target. This opens the door to two applications: a supplement for patients undergoing immunotherapy, and a tool to improve dendritic cell-based vaccines.
These discoveries come from laboratory experiments and studies on mice, not yet on humans. Therefore, researchers do not recommend taking creatine without medical advice, especially during cancer therapy. The logical next step will be clinical trials to verify if this supplement can truly improve treatment outcomes.