Creatine, causes or promotes cancer metastasis?

caused me to have kidney stones, I KNOW that much.

@xahnegrey40

Dr. Michael Gregor has something about this on NutritionFacts.org. On his website, I read something to the effect that creatine supplementation is not recommended for prostate cancer patients. NutritionFacts is science-based, so I tend to rely on information that I find there. I am sorry that I don’t have a link that I can offer. I used to supplement with creatine, but stopped after my prostate cancer diagnosis. Best wishes to you.

This site is typically a great resource for such questions: https://evidence.zone

@paulsweeney What say yee? I would expect to find Creatine, but I did not. Thanks!

Steve

I was not aware creatine was associated with prostate cancer, I've used it quite often and recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer but I won't use it anymore.

I haven't a clue so I through the question at an AI model, there are a couple cites in there so there may be something to the answer....

Shortened answer, "Ain't good for mice! Humans? Dunno.

**Preclinical (mainly mouse) evidence indicates that creatine can promote metastasis in certain cancers, but human clinical data does not show that it causes or accelerates metastasis or worsens outcomes in cancer patients.** Evidence is mixed and incomplete; caution is reasonable for people with cancer, and decisions should be made with an oncology team.[]()

### Key Preclinical Findings
Multiple studies in orthotopic mouse models (more clinically relevant for metastasis than subcutaneous models) show that dietary or exogenous creatine can increase metastatic spread:

- A 2021 *Cell Metabolism* study (Zhang et al.) found that creatine supplementation promoted colorectal and breast cancer metastasis (to liver or lung) and shortened survival. Primary tumor growth was often unaffected or slightly reduced. Mechanisms involved GATM-mediated creatine synthesis (upregulated in human metastases), creatine uptake via SLC6A8, and activation of the MPS1–Smad2/3 pathway leading to higher Snail/Slug expression (promoting invasion). Targeting GATM or MPS1 reduced metastasis.[]()

- A 2026 *Nature Communications* study reported that exogenous creatine promotes metastasis across models (melanoma, CRC, lung, breast) via platelet hyperactivity. Creatine raises levels in megakaryocytes, upregulates creatine kinase B (CKB), and drives non-canonical STAT5B phosphorylation, producing hyperactive platelets that aid circulating tumor cells. Megakaryocyte-specific knockouts or STAT5 inhibition blocked the effect. Human platelets from healthy volunteers after creatine supplementation also promoted metastasis when transferred into mice.[]()

Other work links the creatine–phosphagen system to invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer (via mechanosensitive CKB and energy shuttling). Reviews summarize a dual role: creatine or analogs can suppress primary/subcutaneous tumor growth (sometimes via enhanced CD8 T-cell or dendritic-cell activity) while promoting invasion/metastasis in models of colorectal, breast, and pancreatic cancer. High GATM expression has been associated with poorer prognosis in some human CRC data.[]()

These are animal and mechanistic findings. Doses were often designed to be clinically relevant, but results do not automatically translate to humans.

### Human Evidence
Direct evidence that creatine supplementation promotes metastasis or reduces survival in cancer patients is lacking:

- Existing randomized trials of creatine in cancer patients (mainly for muscle mass, strength, or cachexia) have generally been short-term and have not shown worse survival or clear signals of increased progression. One larger trial in patients with cancer-related weight loss (Alliance N02C4, ~263 patients) found median survival of 230 days (creatine) vs. 239 days (placebo; *P* = 0.70), with comparable adverse events. A smaller CRC trial (Norman et al., 2006) reported no major benefits on muscle/QoL but some bioimpedance improvements in milder chemotherapy; it was not powered for metastasis.[]()

- A 2025 systematic review/meta-analysis of 5 RCTs (372 patients) found no significant differences in lean mass, strength, physical function, or QoL versus placebo, reduced fat mass, a favorable short-term safety profile, and no impact on overall survival in the one trial that reported it. Most trials were short (weeks), heterogeneous, and not designed primarily around metastasis endpoints.[]()

- Observational data have linked higher *dietary* creatine intake with lower overall cancer risk in some analyses (with limitations), and creatine is not established as a human carcinogen. Ongoing trials (e.g., in metastatic prostate cancer with resistance training) are examining muscle outcomes and progression markers such as PSA.

Creatine can raise blood creatinine (a byproduct), which may complicate kidney monitoring during treatment. Some oncology dietitians advise against it during active therapy due to theoretical risks of interference or tumor effects, while considering it later for recovery in selected patients.

### Practical Takeaways
- **Does not “cause” cancer**: There is no good evidence that creatine initiates cancer in healthy people.
- **Potential to promote metastasis**: Supported in specific animal models via cancer-cell signaling and platelet effects, especially for certain solid tumors. This is hypothesis-generating, not proof of harm in patients.
- **Human data neutral so far**: Existing trials do not demonstrate increased metastasis or reduced survival, but they have important limitations (size, duration, endpoints, cancer types).

Super interesting, I’ll dig deeper and add it to evidence.zone

Many thanks

Paul

Thank you everyone for your comments. I hear so many good things about powder Creatine. It seems to help with not just muscle growth, and energy but even with cognitive ability. I have seen used to help people with alzheimer's also. I also heard that it could be bad for cancer patient and cancer survivors as well..

Thanks again for the research. I will continue looking into it before taking it. If anyone sees any additional research please share.

Great information! My GP recommended I use creatine and my latest blood work has my creatine high! I’ve discontinued its use! All Docs advised!
Thanks

Another thing to consider is that natural vs safe. Supplements are not regulated.

- Natural vs. safe: Why the two aren't the same https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/complementary-alternative-medicine/in-depth/natural-vs-safe-health-remedies/art-20587690

Not all agree: https://www.oncnursingnews.com/view/creatine-and-cancer-safety-gabrielle-raucci-discusses-timing-and-benefits.