Creatine supplementation reduces tumor growth in colorectal cancer models and increases the number of CD8+ T cells within tumors.
See the scientific wording
Creatine supplementation suppresses tumor growth in colorectal cancer models and enhances infiltration of CD8+ T cells into tumors.
Correlational — new studies may shift this
ObservationalOne low-scoring study links this claim to the outcome, but causation is not established.
What the research says
1 study reviewedSupporting (1)
Case-Control StudyAnimal2025
In mice with colon cancer, giving extra creatine made tumors smaller and brought in more immune cells that fight cancer. This means creatine might help the body’s own defenses work better against cancer.
Contradicting (0)
No contradicting studies found yet
That doesn't mean it's settled — it just means no study has tested the opposite.
Quality-weighted scoring: we follow the GRADE framework — each study is rated High, Moderate, Low, or Very Low based on study design, methodology rigor, and risk of bias. A single high-quality RCT can outweigh several weaker observational studies.
Scores reflect study quality, not just count.
Creatine enters cancer cells and blocks a protein that normally protects them from a type of cell death caused by fat damage. When this protection is removed, the cancer cells die from fat damage, and their death releases signals that attract immune cells to the tumor, where they attack remaining cancer cells.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting study
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Creatine supplementation reduces tumor growth in colorectal cancer models and increases the number of CD8+ T cells within tumors.
Mechanism
1 studyCreatine kills colorectal cancer cells by disabling their defense against fat damage, causing them to die in a way that releases signals attracting immune cells. These immune cells then move into the tumor and destroy remaining cancer cells.
Creatine enters cancer cells and blocks a protein that normally protects them from a type of cell death caused by fat damage. When this protection is removed, the cancer cells die from fat damage, and their death releases signals that attract immune cells to the tumor, where they attack remaining cancer cells.
Creatine binds directly to extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2), preventing its activation by MEK1
Inactive ERK2 fails to phosphorylate ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 (FSP1) at Thr109
Unphosphorylated FSP1 becomes unstable and is degraded
Loss of FSP1 removes inhibition of lipid peroxidation in cancer cell membranes
Uncontrolled lipid peroxidation triggers ferroptotic cell death in colorectal cancer cells
Ferroptotic cell death releases damage-associated molecular patterns that activate dendritic cells and promote CD8+ T cell recruitment to the tumor
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
Community contributions welcome
SLC6A8-mediated creatine uptake suppresses ERK2-FSP1 signaling and induces ferroptosis in colorectal cancer.
In mice with colon cancer, giving extra creatine made tumors smaller and brought in more immune cells that fight cancer. This means creatine might help the body’s own defenses work better against cancer.
Contradicting (0)
Community contributions welcome
Score Breakdown
No multi-axis breakdown available yet. The overall Pro / Against score above is the best signal.
- No clinical evidence is available; the score reflects mechanistic plausibility only.
What Would Prove This
Per GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this claim, ordered from strongest to weakest.
Systematic Review of Creatine Supplementation Effects on Tumor Growth and CD8+ T Cell Infiltration in Colorectal Cancer Models
Comprehensive synthesis of all peer-reviewed animal studies evaluating creatine supplementation in colorectal cancer models, comparing tumor volume, CD8+ T cell density, and survival outcomes across dosages and durations.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Creatine Supplementation vs Placebo in Murine Colorectal Cancer Models
Randomly assigned mice with induced colorectal tumors receive creatine supplementation or placebo; tumor volume and CD8+ T cell infiltration are measured at standardized time points under blinded conditions.
Prospective Cohort Study of Creatine Use and Tumor Progression in Colorectal Cancer-Prone Animal Populations
Longitudinal observation of genetically predisposed animal cohorts with and without creatine supplementation, tracking tumor development, CD8+ T cell dynamics, and survival over time.
In Vitro Analysis of Creatine's Direct Effects on Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation and CD8+ T Cell Migration
Co-culture experiments exposing human colorectal cancer cell lines and isolated CD8+ T cells to creatine at varying concentrations, measuring proliferation, apoptosis, and migration rates.
Single-Center Animal Study Assessing Creatine Supplementation on Tumor Growth and Immune Infiltration in Colorectal Cancer
Small-scale experiment using a single strain of mice with induced colorectal tumors, treated with creatine and compared to controls, measuring tumor size and CD8+ T cell counts via flow cytometry.