A new study published in Nature by researchers at the Wilmot Cancer Institute at the University of Rochester has found that taurine—a widely used amino acid in energy drinks—may accelerate the growth of leukemia cells. The research shows that leukemia cells absorb taurine and use it as fuel to sustain their rapid proliferation.
Taurine is naturally produced in the human body and found in foods such as meat, fish, and eggs. It’s also a popular additive in energy drinks due to its reported benefits, including mental performance enhancement, anti-inflammatory effects, digestive support, and maintenance of electrolyte balance and hydration.
However, this new research reveals a darker side of the compound. According to the study, leukemia cells increase their energy production through glycolysis—a metabolic process fueled in part by taurine. These cancerous cells do not synthesize taurine on their own. Instead, they extract it from bone marrow using a specialized transporter protein known as SLC6A6, which shuttles taurine directly into the cells.
Experiments conducted on mice and human leukemia cells showed that blocking taurine from entering the cancer cells halted their growth entirely. This suggests a significant therapeutic potential for targeting taurine uptake in leukemia treatment.
“These results are incredibly exciting,” said lead researcher Jeevisha Bajaj in an interview with the New York Post. “They show we may be able to treat myeloid leukemia by preventing taurine absorption in cancer cells.”
Dr. Jane Liesveld, an oncologist at the University of Rochester and co-author of the study, emphasized caution. “Elevated local levels of taurine in bone marrow may accelerate leukemia progression, so we need to be careful with high-dose taurine supplements,” she noted.
This study raises serious concerns about excessive taurine consumption through supplements or energy drinks, especially for individuals with leukemia or at high risk. Taurine has been used to mitigate side effects of chemotherapy—such as nausea and vomiting—thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Still, researchers stress the need to weigh potential benefits against risks, particularly in vulnerable populations.
“Taurine is often seen as beneficial, but unregulated supplements can do harm and may actually feed tumors,” Liesveld warned. “Its concentration in bone marrow seems to promote leukemia growth.”
The team is now expanding their research to determine whether taurine plays a similar role in other cancers, including colon cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, about 67,000 new cases of leukemia are expected in the U.S. this year. In Australia, 5,202 new cases were diagnosed in 2022, with 2,121 resulting in death. Given the widespread availability of taurine in energy drinks and supplements, researchers urge consumers—especially those with leukemia or at risk—to exercise caution.
“Blocking taurine uptake in leukemia cells could be a promising treatment strategy,” the study concludes, highlighting the potential for future therapies aimed at targeting this pathway. While the research is still in its early stages, the findings represent a meaningful step toward developing new cancer treatments.
