Study analysis · Cell metabolism · 2021
Creatine supplements may fuel cancer spread, new mouse study warns.
In mice, creatine helped cancer spread to other organs and shortened survival.
Overview
What the study found
The study in plain English — the bottom line, every takeaway we extracted, and what to do with them.
In simple terms
This study was done on mice, not people. Mice are different from humans, so we can't be sure the same thing happens in people. It gives us ideas to look into more, but it doesn't prove that creatine makes cancer spread in humans.
What’s the bottom line?
Creatine, a popular muscle-building supplement, was found to help cancer spread in mice. It makes cancer cells more mobile and invasive, leading to more metastases and earlier death in the mice.
How strong is this study?
We don't have all the details about how the study was done because we only read a summary. Without knowing if they used fair methods like random groups and blinding, we can't be sure the results are reliable. It's like hearing a story without knowing if it's true.
0 / 100
- COI disclosureconflicts of interest not disclosed
- Data availabilitydata not shared
- Code availabilitycode not shared
0 / 100
- Randomizationrandomization unclear
- Blindingblinding unclear
- Control groupno control group
- Sample sizeno sample size reported
- Follow-upno follow-up reported
100 / 100
0 / 100
- P-valuesno p-values reported
- Effect sizeno effect size reported
- Confidence intervalsno confidence intervals
- Pre-registrationnot pre-registered
Each component is scored out of 100 and then capped by the study design — a case series cannot reach the ceiling a randomised trial can, however well it is reported.
Where it sits
RCT reviewsReviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized TrialsRandomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort StudiesReviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort StudiesCohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control StudiesReviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control StudiesCase-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case SeriesCross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert OpinionExpert Opinion
Max 56 / 100
Probability of being correct
Groups of people are followed over time to see who develops an outcome. Strong for identifying risk factors and associations, but cannot prove causation as firmly as RCTs.
This design cannot establish causation — the findings describe an association, not a cause. This is an animal study using orthotopic mouse models. Animal physiology and cancer biology may differ significantly from humans. Therefore, causal relationships established in mice cannot be directly extrapolated to humans. The study does not provide human data.
COI Unknown
Could not determine conflict of interest status
No conflicts of interest or funding information provided in the study excerpt.
The text does not contain any conflict of interest disclosures, funding statements, or author affiliations. All assessments are based solely on the provided excerpt.
Key takeaways
- 01
Mice given creatine had more cancer spread to the liver and other organs, and they died sooner than mice not given creatine.
- 02
This is a significant finding for mice, but we don't know yet if it applies to humans.
- 03
More research is needed.
Surprising findings
- Creatine, widely considered safe and beneficial, promoted metastasis and shortened survival in mice.This contradicts the common perception of creatine as purely beneficial for muscle health and exercise performance.
- GATM, an enzyme for creatine synthesis, is upregulated in liver metastases, suggesting a feedback loop that fuels spread.Typically, enzymes for nutrient synthesis are downregulated when the nutrient is supplied exogenously, but here both sources contribute to metastasis.
Practical takeaways
Cancer patients or those at high risk should consult a doctor before taking creatine supplements.
This is a mouse study; human relevance is unknown. Full methodology not available for verification.
low confidenceResearchers should investigate GATM and MPS1 inhibitors as potential anti-metastatic drugs.
These findings need validation in human studies and clinical trials.
low confidenceWhy this study matters
Creatine's dark side
The study found that dietary creatine supplementation at human-equivalent doses increased metastatic dissemination and reduced survival in orthotopic mouse models of colorectal and breast cancer. This was mediated by upregulation of Snail and Slug via MPS1-activated Smad2/3 phosphorylation.
Creatine is one of the most popular supplements, often taken for muscle growth, but this research suggests a potential risk for cancer patients.
Mechanism revealed: GATM and MPS1
GATM, the rate-limiting enzyme for creatine synthesis, was found to be upregulated in liver metastases. Either dietary creatine or GATM-mediated synthesis activated MPS1, which then phosphorylated Smad2/3, leading to increased Snail and Slug expression and metastasis.
This identifies specific molecular targets that could be blocked to prevent metastasis, even in TGFβ receptor mutant cancers.
Potential therapeutic opportunities
Knocking down GATM or inhibiting MPS1 suppressed metastasis and improved survival in the mouse models. This suggests that targeting these proteins could be a novel strategy to prevent cancer spread, particularly in colorectal and breast cancers.
If validated, this could lead to new drugs that prevent metastasis without interfering with normal creatine functions.
Want the whole report?
Detailed mode opens the full scientific breakdown — every score component, the methodology, conflicts of interest, the evidence analysis behind each claim, and the raw study data.
Overview
What the study found
The study in plain English — the bottom line, every takeaway we extracted, and what to do with them.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Creatine, a popular muscle-building supplement, was found to help cancer spread in mice. It makes cancer cells more mobile and invasive, leading to more metastases and earlier death in the mice.
Research results
Mice given creatine had more cancer spread to the liver and other organs, and they died sooner than mice not given creatine.
What this means - more context
This is a significant finding for mice, but we don't know yet if it applies to humans. More research is needed.
To investigate the effect of creatine supplementation on cancer metastasis using orthotopic mouse models of colorectal and breast cancer.
Creatine promotes metastasis and shortens survival in mice via MPS1-mediated activation of Smad2/3, leading to upregulation of Snail and Slug. GATM knockdown or MPS1 inhibition suppresses metastasis.
Methods Used
Orthotopic mouse models of colorectal and breast cancer; dietary creatine supplementation; GATM knockdown and MPS1 inhibition experiments.
Main Finding
Creatine supplementation at human-equivalent doses increases metastatic dissemination and reduces survival in mouse models of colorectal and breast cancer through activation of Smad2/3 via MPS1.
Confidence Level
Limited - based on abstract only, full methodology not available
Study Flags
Red Flags
- •Full text not available - methodology details cannot be verified
- •Animal model only - human relevance unknown
- •The study has published corrections/errata - readers should check for updated information
Surprising Findings
Creatine, widely considered safe and beneficial, promoted metastasis and shortened survival in mice.
This contradicts the common perception of creatine as purely beneficial for muscle health and exercise performance.
Practical Takeaways
Cancer patients or those at high risk should consult a doctor before taking creatine supplements.
RCT reviewsReviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized TrialsRandomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort StudiesReviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort StudiesCohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control StudiesReviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control StudiesCase-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case SeriesCross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert OpinionExpert Opinion
Max 56 / 100
Probability of being correct
Groups of people are followed over time to see who develops an outcome. Strong for identifying risk factors and associations, but cannot prove causation as firmly as RCTs.
Animal Cohort Study
Subject
Lower probability
on the GRADE evidence scale
This study was done on mice, not people. Mice are different from humans, so we can't be sure the same thing happens in people. It gives us ideas to look into more, but it doesn't prove that creatine makes cancer spread in humans.
Strengths
- Use of orthotopic mouse models (more relevant than subcutaneous implants)
- Investigation of multiple cancer types (colorectal and breast)
- Mechanistic exploration (MPS1/Smad2/3 pathway)
Weaknesses
- Full methodology not available - based on abstract only
- Animal study limits human relevance
- Sample size not reported
Methodology
Evidence Keywords
Statistical Reporting
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Creatine, a popular muscle-building supplement, was found to help cancer spread in mice. It makes cancer cells more mobile and invasive, leading to more metastases and earlier death in the mice.
Research results
Mice given creatine had more cancer spread to the liver and other organs, and they died sooner than mice not given creatine.
What this means - more context
This is a significant finding for mice, but we don't know yet if it applies to humans. More research is needed.
To investigate the effect of creatine supplementation on cancer metastasis using orthotopic mouse models of colorectal and breast cancer.
Creatine promotes metastasis and shortens survival in mice via MPS1-mediated activation of Smad2/3, leading to upregulation of Snail and Slug. GATM knockdown or MPS1 inhibition suppresses metastasis.
Methods Used
Orthotopic mouse models of colorectal and breast cancer; dietary creatine supplementation; GATM knockdown and MPS1 inhibition experiments.
Main Finding
Creatine supplementation at human-equivalent doses increases metastatic dissemination and reduces survival in mouse models of colorectal and breast cancer through activation of Smad2/3 via MPS1.
Confidence Level
Limited - based on abstract only, full methodology not available
Study Flags
Red Flags
- •Full text not available - methodology details cannot be verified
- •Animal model only - human relevance unknown
- •The study has published corrections/errata - readers should check for updated information
Surprising Findings
Creatine, widely considered safe and beneficial, promoted metastasis and shortened survival in mice.
This contradicts the common perception of creatine as purely beneficial for muscle health and exercise performance.
Practical Takeaways
Cancer patients or those at high risk should consult a doctor before taking creatine supplements.
RCT reviewsReviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized TrialsRandomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort StudiesReviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort StudiesCohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control StudiesReviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control StudiesCase-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case SeriesCross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert OpinionExpert Opinion
Max 56 / 100
Probability of being correct
Groups of people are followed over time to see who develops an outcome. Strong for identifying risk factors and associations, but cannot prove causation as firmly as RCTs.
Animal Cohort Study
Subject
Lower probability
on the GRADE evidence scale
This study was done on mice, not people. Mice are different from humans, so we can't be sure the same thing happens in people. It gives us ideas to look into more, but it doesn't prove that creatine makes cancer spread in humans.
Strengths
- Use of orthotopic mouse models (more relevant than subcutaneous implants)
- Investigation of multiple cancer types (colorectal and breast)
- Mechanistic exploration (MPS1/Smad2/3 pathway)
Weaknesses
- Full methodology not available - based on abstract only
- Animal study limits human relevance
- Sample size not reported
Methodology
Evidence Keywords
Statistical Reporting
Scoring
How strong is this study?
We don't have all the details about how the study was done because we only read a summary. Without knowing if they used fair methods like random groups and blinding, we can't be sure the results are reliable. It's like hearing a story without knowing if it's true.
0 / 100
- COI disclosureconflicts of interest not disclosed
- Data availabilitydata not shared
- Code availabilitycode not shared
0 / 100
- Randomizationrandomization unclear
- Blindingblinding unclear
- Control groupno control group
- Sample sizeno sample size reported
- Follow-upno follow-up reported
100 / 100
0 / 100
- P-valuesno p-values reported
- Effect sizeno effect size reported
- Confidence intervalsno confidence intervals
- Pre-registrationnot pre-registered
Each component is scored out of 100 and then capped by the study design — a case series cannot reach the ceiling a randomised trial can, however well it is reported.
Where it sits
RCT reviewsReviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized TrialsRandomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort StudiesReviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort StudiesCohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control StudiesReviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control StudiesCase-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case SeriesCross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert OpinionExpert Opinion
Max 56 / 100
Probability of being correct
Groups of people are followed over time to see who develops an outcome. Strong for identifying risk factors and associations, but cannot prove causation as firmly as RCTs.
This design cannot establish causation — the findings describe an association, not a cause. This is an animal study using orthotopic mouse models. Animal physiology and cancer biology may differ significantly from humans. Therefore, causal relationships established in mice cannot be directly extrapolated to humans. The study does not provide human data.
COI Unknown
Could not determine conflict of interest status
No conflicts of interest or funding information provided in the study excerpt.
The text does not contain any conflict of interest disclosures, funding statements, or author affiliations. All assessments are based solely on the provided excerpt.
Standing
Who’s using this study?
The videos and claims on this site that lean on this study, and the researchers who wrote it.
1 video from Dr. William Wallace cite this study, drawing 2 claims from it.