Creatine is said to have the potential to help fight cancer, but it has only been proven in mice.

JAKARTA - Creatine, a supplement that has long been known in the world of sports to help increase muscle strength, is said to have other potential. A study found that creatine can slow tumor growth in mice and help the immune cells that play a role in fighting cancer.

However, these findings cannot be directly used as recommendations for cancer patients. The study was conducted on cells and mice, not on humans.

The Independent, quoted on Friday, July 10, reported that the study was conducted by scientists at the University of California, Los Angeles or UCLA. They found that creatine is not only related to physical performance, but can also energize immune cells that help the body recognize and attack cancer.

Previous research in mice showed that creatine gives energy to killer T cells. Killer T cells are white blood cells that help the body destroy cancer and virus cells.

In the latest study, the UCLA team found that creatine also energizes dendritic cells. These cells are tasked with capturing tumor fragments, then directing killer T cells to attack.

This finding is interesting because many cancer immunotherapies have been based on killer T cells. Immunotherapy is a treatment that encourages the immune system to fight cancer.

The problem is, not all patients respond to immunotherapy. Scientists suspect that creatine can help strengthen the treatment through its effect on dendritic cells.

Lili Yang, senior author of the study and a professor of microbiology, immunology, and molecular genetics at UCLA, said immunotherapy has shown great promise, but only works in some patients.

"What this study shows is that creatine not only helps T cells fight cancer, but also energizes the entire infrastructure that supports and guides those cells," Yang said.

According to Yang, this makes creatine a promising supplement to support the immune response needed for modern immunotherapy.

The study, published in the journal iScience, tested daily injections of creatine in a mouse model of melanoma. Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that can develop aggressively.

As a result, creatine slows tumor growth. Creatine also increases the activity of dendritic cells that enter the tumor.

The dendritic cells treated with creatine release more chemical signals. These signals attract more immune cells to enter the tumor.

Scientists also found that creatine supplementation increases energy levels in dendritic cells. Researchers compared creatine's role to a rechargeable battery.

With the help of creatine, dendritic cells can store and release energy when needed. This is important because immune cells have to compete with fast-growing tumor cells for nutrients.

James Elsten-Brown, one of the first authors of the study and a graduate student in Yang's lab, said creatine has potential in two ways.

"The potential we see here is that creatine can be used in two complementary ways," said Elsten-Brown.

He said creatine could be studied as a supplement to improve the immune response of patients who have undergone immunotherapy. Creatine can also be studied to improve the quality of dendritic cell-based vaccines before being given to patients.

According to The Independent, researchers still insist that the results of this study have not become a medical recommendation. The research was conducted on cells and mice, so it cannot be concluded that it is safe or effective for cancer patients.

Although creatine has been used for decades and is considered relatively safe, cancer patients undergoing treatment should still consult a doctor before adding any supplements to their therapy.