Creatine and Cancer Immunotherapy: Could This Popular Supplement Help the Immune System Fight Tumours?

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Creatine is often seen as a gym supplement, but emerging research is exploring a very different role: helping support the energy needs of immune cells. Think of it as a potential “molecular battery” for T-cells and dendritic cells during cancer immunotherapy research not a cure, but a fascinating area of immune system science

Is creatine only useful for building muscle?

No. While creatine is best known for improving strength, power, and exercise performance, research over the past decade has revealed that its benefits extend far beyond muscle tissue. Scientists have also investigated creatine’s role in brain health, energy metabolism, and more recently, immune function (1,2).

What does creatine actually do inside the body?

Creatine acts as a rapid energy reserve. Cells store creatine as phosphocreatine, which can quickly regenerate adenosine triphosphate (ATP) the body’s primary energy currency (2). When a cell suddenly needs more energy than its mitochondria can produce, phosphocreatine donates a phosphate group to replenish ATP almost instantly. This system is particularly important in tissues and cells with high energy demands (1,2).

Why are immune cells interested in creatine?

Fighting cancer requires enormous amounts of energy (2). Immune cells such as T cells and dendritic cells must proliferate, migrate through tissues, communicate with other immune cells, and attack tumour cells. At the same time, tumours create a hostile environment that is often low in oxygen and nutrients. Researchers believe creatine may help immune cells maintain sufficient ATP levels to continue functioning effectively under these stressful conditions (1,2).

What did researchers discover about creatine and T cells?

A landmark study published by Di Biase and colleagues in 2019 found that tumour-infiltrating T cells significantly increase expression of SLC6A8, the transporter responsible for bringing creatine into the cell (1). When researchers removed this transporter in mice, the T cells became less effective at fighting tumours. However, when creatine supplementation was provided, tumour growth was reduced across multiple mouse cancer models (1). The researchers described creatine as a “molecular battery” that helps power anti-tumour immune responses (1).

Can creatine improve the effectiveness of cancer immunotherapy?

Potentially, yes. One of the most exciting findings from the 2019 study was that creatine supplementation enhanced the effects of PD-1 and PD-L1 checkpoint inhibitors, which are widely used cancer immunotherapy treatments (1). The combination of creatine and checkpoint blockade suppressed tumour growth more effectively than either treatment alone in animal models (1).

What are dendritic cells and why are they important?

Dendritic cells are often called the immune system’s scouts. Their job is to capture tumour proteins, process them, and present them to T cells. Without properly functioning dendritic cells, T cells may never receive the activation signals required to recognise and attack cancer cells. In many ways, dendritic cells are responsible for initiating the anti-cancer immune response.

What did the newer 2026 study find?

Researchers from the same UCLA laboratory discovered that dendritic cells inside tumours also depend on creatine uptake (3). The study found that these cells increase expression of the same creatine transporter, SLC6A8 (3). When dendritic cells lacked the transporter, they were unable to activate properly and could not effectively stimulate CD8+ T cells (3). As a result, anti-tumour immunity was significantly weakened (3).

Did creatine supplementation help dendritic cells?

Yes, in animal studies. Creatine supplementation restored dendritic cell activation and reduced tumour growth in a melanoma mouse model (3). Researchers found that creatine helped preserve intracellular ATP levels needed for energy-intensive inflammatory signalling pathways (3). In other words, the same “molecular battery” effect observed in T cells appeared to support dendritic cells as well (1,3).

Has this effect been observed in human cells?

Partially. The researchers also tested human monocyte-derived dendritic cells grown in laboratory conditions (3). Creatine enhanced activation of these cells, suggesting the biological mechanism may extend to humans (3). However, laboratory findings do not necessarily translate directly into clinical outcomes.

This diagram illustrates how creatine acts as a "molecular battery" to rapidly regenerate cellular energy (ATP), which in turn fuels dendritic cells and T cells to effectively attack cancer cells within a tumour microenvironment.

Can people with cancer start taking creatine to improve treatment outcomes?

At this stage, there is not enough evidence to recommend creatine as a cancer treatment or immunotherapy adjunct. The current evidence comes primarily from mouse studies and laboratory experiments involving human immune cells (1,3). Human clinical trials are still needed to determine whether creatine supplementation improves treatment outcomes in cancer patients.

Are there any limitations to the research?

Yes. The evidence remains preclinical, meaning it has not yet been confirmed in large human studies. Additionally, members of the research team hold patents related to the therapeutic use of creatine in cancer immunotherapy. While this is common in translational research, it is important to consider potential conflicts of interest when evaluating emerging findings.

What is the main takeaway?

The combined research suggests that creatine may help support the energy needs of both dendritic cells and T cells within the tumour microenvironment (1,3). By maintaining ATP availability, creatine appears to help immune cells perform the metabolically demanding tasks required for effective anti-cancer responses (1,3).

Although it is far too early to consider creatine a cancer therapy, these findings are reshaping our understanding of a supplement traditionally associated with athletic performance and opening new avenues for future cancer immunotherapy research.

Discover how emerging science is expanding our understanding of nutrition beyond athletic performance. At FerFit Dietetics & Nutrition, we provide evidence-based, individualised strategies to help you understand the evolving role of cellular energetics, like creatine, in overall metabolic and immune health. Connect with us for expert guidance in Elwood, Glen Huntly, Mentone & Upwey, and across Melbourne.

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References

1. Di Biase S, Ma X, Wang X, et al. Creatine uptake regulates CD8 T cell antitumor immunity. Journal of Experimental Medicine. 2019;216(12):2869-2882.

2. Kazak L, Cohen P. Creatine metabolism: energy homeostasis, immunity and beyond. Nature Reviews Endocrinology. 2020;16(8):421-436.

3. Kang Y, et al. Creatine supplementation enhances dendritic cell activation and antitumor immunity through maintenance of cellular ATP homeostasis. iScience. 2026.