Most people have a bottle of vitamins or supplements somewhere at home. Some take them to improve athletic performance, others simply hope to stay healthy. But every so often, researchers discover that a familiar product may have a completely different purpose than anyone expected.
According to researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a supplement best known in gyms could eventually become relevant in a very different setting: cancer research.
Their findings, published in the scientific journal iScience, suggest it may help strengthen parts of the immune system involved in recognizing and attacking cancer cells. However, the work is still at an early stage and has not yet been tested in cancer patients, reports News Beast.
More than muscles
Creatine has long been associated with strength training because it helps muscles produce energy during intense exercise. The UCLA team found evidence that its role may extend beyond physical performance.
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Previous studies had already shown that creatine could improve the function of cytotoxic T cells, immune cells responsible for destroying infected or cancerous cells.
The latest research indicates that it may also enhance dendritic cells, which identify threats and activate the immune response by directing T cells toward tumors.
This broader effect could be significant because many modern immunotherapies rely on T cells, yet a large proportion of patients do not respond as well as hoped.
What the study found
The researchers investigated the effects of daily creatine injections in mouse models with melanoma. They observed slower tumor growth alongside increased activity of dendritic cells within the tumors.
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They also found that these immune cells produced stronger chemical signals capable of attracting additional immune cells to the tumor environment. In addition, creatine appeared to improve the cells' ability to store and use energy, helping them function even when nutrients were limited.
The researchers believe these findings raise the possibility that creatine could one day support immunotherapy or improve dendritic cell-based cancer vaccines.
Important limitations
Despite the promising results, the researchers emphasize that the evidence comes from laboratory experiments and animal studies, not clinical trials involving people.
For that reason, they stress that no medical or dietary recommendations should be made based on these findings alone.
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While creatine has been widely used for decades and is generally considered safe, anyone undergoing cancer treatment should consult their healthcare provider before adding any supplement to their treatment plan.
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