This was a 2008 article published in
Neuro Onc 10.1215/15228517-2008-020. PMCID: PMC2666227.
From what I gather, the C/T (C677T)
A/C (A1298C) genotype (Greatly Reduced Activity, GRA) of the MTHFR gene is a
risk factor for survival in GBM. C/C is considered normal.
I did test our survivor for the
MTHFR gene and he has the C/T polymorphism noted above. It should be noted that this polymorphism is
common in the general population.
Individuals with the GRA MTHFR type mutation
are expected to have greatly decreased folic acid metabolism and low folate
levels.
The authors of the study concluded
that "folate supplementation or dietary strategies influencing methionine
and further metabolites of methionine metabolism might be interesting candidate
supportive therapies for GBM patients". There is a product on the
market known at L-methylfolate or Metafolin and also marketed as Deplin 7.5 mg or
15 mg. Supplementing with regular folic acid would seem to be much
less effective if one does not have enough MTHFR to convert folate to its
active form that can pass the blood brain barrier. My question is if anyone has any further
information or experience with L-methylfolate supplementation in their BTcocktail.
