Understanding Genetic SNPs for Cancer Treatment & Healing (PART TWO)
In Part 1 of this series, we explored how COMT and CYP1B1 influence hormone balance, detoxification, and stress resilience—important factors in both cancer risk and treatment response. But these are just a few pieces of the puzzle. Your genes impact much more than how your body processes estrogen or clears toxins. They also play a role in how well you fight inflammation, repair damaged cells, and support your immune system—all of which are critical in cancer prevention and recovery.
In this second installment, we take a closer look at three additional genetic variations - Glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1), Glutathione S-transferase Theta 1 (GSTT1), Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase (MTHFR), and Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) - that influence detoxification, DNA stability, and immune function. These SNPs can affect how efficiently your body eliminates harmful substances, regulates inflammation, and utilizes key nutrients like folate and vitamin D. Understanding these genetic differences allows for a more personalized approach to cancer care, helping to fine-tune treatment plans, reduce side effects, and optimize recovery.
Glutathione SNPs & Deletions: The Master Detoxifier
Think of glutathione (GSH) as your body’s built-in defense system—a powerful antioxidant that helps detoxify harmful compounds, protect against oxidative stress, and support immune function. It acts like a shield, neutralizing:
Estrogen quinones, which, if left unchecked, can lead to hormone-driven cancers.
Free radicals, reducing oxidative stress that fuels cancer growth.
Toxins and carcinogens, helping your liver clear out harmful substances.
But when glutathione levels are low, or its function is impaired, your body struggles to detoxify effectively. This can lead to higher cancer risk, increased inflammation, and poorer treatment response—which is why understanding your glutathione-related genetic variations is so important.
Glutathione Genetic Variants & Their Impact
SNPs and deletions in genes related to glutathione production and function can significantly impact cancer susceptibility and recovery.
GSTM1 & GSTT1 Deletions:
Some people completely lack these genes, meaning their detox pathways are weaker, leaving them more vulnerable to hormone-driven and environmentally induced cancers.
Without these key detox enzymes, the body struggles to eliminate toxins, leading to higher oxidative stress and DNA damage.
Variants Affecting Glutathione Production:
Lower GSH synthesis weakens antioxidant defenses, leaving the body more exposed to toxins and inflammation.
A reduced ability to detoxify environmental pollutants can contribute to cancer progression and treatment resistance.
If your glutathione pathways aren’t functioning optimally, your body may have a harder time fighting off oxidative stress and clearing out harmful substances—a major factor in both cancer development and recovery.
How Genetic Testing Helps
By assessing glutathione pathway SNPs through 3x4 Genetic Testing, we can create a targeted plan to optimize detoxification and antioxidant defense:
✅ Boosting Glutathione Levels & Supporting Detoxification:
N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC): A key precursor to glutathione, helping restore antioxidant balance. Glutathione and NAC may not be appropriate during an active cancering process and should only be used under Dr. Jamie’s guidance.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA): Enhances glutathione recycling and mitochondrial protection.
Selenium & Vitamin C: Support glutathione function and overall immune response.
✅ Reducing Toxin Burden & Oxidative Stress:
Limiting exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, and environmental toxins
Supporting liver detoxification with foods like cruciferous vegetables, turmeric, and milk thistle.
✅ Supporting Gut Health for Better Glutathione Production:
Your gut microbiome plays a major role in glutathione synthesis and estrogen detoxification.
Probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods (like fermented foods and fiber) help promote gut bacteria that enhance glutathione production and aid in clearing harmful estrogens.
✅ Personalized Cancer Treatment Strategies:
Patients with glutathione pathway weaknesses may need additional antioxidant support during chemotherapy and radiation to reduce side effects.
Understanding how well a patient detoxifies can inform decisions about supplements, dietary interventions, and treatment modifications.
Since glutathione is a key player in cancer prevention and recovery, knowing how your body produces and utilizes it can significantly impact your personalized, integrative cancer care plan.
MTHFR: The Methylation Regulator
Methylation is critical for the function of multiple enzymes and methyltransferases, so impairments can influence DNA repair, anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. It’s also essential for detoxifying estrogens and heavy metals. Avoiding folate-fortified foods and synthetic folic acid found in many commercial multivitamins is important, as these forms can block folate receptors and worsen methylation issues.
The MTHFR (Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase) gene is responsible for converting folate (vitamin B9) into its active form (methylfolate), which is essential for:
Repairing damaged DNA and reducing mutation risk.
Detoxifying harmful estrogen metabolites linked to hormone-driven cancers.
Producing neurotransmitters that regulate stress and inflammation.
Mutations in the MTHFR gene can impair this process, leading to higher cancer susceptibility due to poor methylation and inefficient detoxification.
MTHFR Genetic Variants & Their Impact
Two of the most well-studied MTHFR polymorphisms are:
C677T Mutation:
Reduces MTHFR enzyme function by 40-70%, impairing folate metabolism.
Leads to higher homocysteine levels, which can contribute to inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage—all linked to cancer development
Increases risk for hormone-driven cancers like breast, ovarian, and prostate cancer due to impaired estrogen detoxification.
A1298C Mutation:
Less impact on enzyme function compared to C677T, but still affects methylation and detoxification.
Can contribute to neurotransmitter imbalances, making it harder to regulate stress and inflammation, factors that influence cancer progression.
Individuals with these variants often struggle with folate metabolism, DNA repair, and toxin elimination, making genetic testing essential for optimizing health strategies.
How Genetic Testing Helps
By identifying MTHFR mutations through 3x4 Genetic Testing, we can tailor interventions to support methylation, detoxification, and DNA stability:
✅ Personalized Folate & B-Vitamin Support:
Those with MTHFR mutations often benefit from methylfolate (active B9) instead of synthetic folic acid, which they struggle to convert.
B12 (methylcobalamin) and B6 (P5P) support optimal methylation and lower homocysteine levels. However, both of these may need to be used judiciously or at low levels if there is an active cancer process. Some cancers have B12 receptors. B6, while helpful for converting homocysteine to glutathione, must also be used thoughtfully.
Some individuals may find that methylated vitamins increase anxiety or cause difficulty sleeping. This is because methyl donors can increase neurotransmitter production, and if other SNPs slow neurotransmitter breakdown, it may result in overstimulation. A thoughtful, personalized approach is required.
✅ Enhancing DNA Repair & Detoxification:
Glutathione support (NAC, alpha-lipoic acid) helps counteract oxidative stress.
Antioxidants like vitamin C and resveratrol aid in repairing DNA damage.
✅ Hormone Balance for Cancer Prevention:
Estrogen metabolism can be improved by supporting liver detoxification with cruciferous vegetables, DIM, and magnesium. DIM must be discussed with Dr. Jamie to determine if it is appropriate for you based on your SNP profile.
Include vegetables high in natural methyl donors, such as leafy greens (spinach, kale, Swiss chard), to support methylation.
Stress regulation strategies can help mitigate inflammation and reduce cancer-promoting pathways.
Since poor methylation can contribute to cancer development and treatment resistance, understanding MTHFR function through genetic testing allows for a targeted, data-driven approach to cancer care and prevention.
VDR: Vitamin D Receptor
Vitamin D is important in immune regulation, inflammation control, and tumor suppression, making it essential for cancer prevention and treatment. We also evaluate Cytochrome P450 Family 2 Subfamily R Member 1 (CYP2R1), a gene involved in activating vitamin D in the liver.
The Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene is responsible for activating vitamin D within the body, allowing it to:
Enhance immune function, helping the body recognize and eliminate cancer cells.
Regulate cell growth and differentiation, preventing uncontrolled tumor development.
Reduce inflammation, a major driver of cancer progression.
Low vitamin D levels have been linked to higher risks of breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, as well as poorer treatment outcomes in those already diagnosed.
VDR Genetic Variants & Their Impact
SNP variations in the VDR gene affect how efficiently the body utilizes vitamin D, which in turn influences immune response and cancer risk. The most studied variants include:
FokI (rs2228570):
Affects VDR protein function, potentially reducing vitamin D activity in immune cells.
Lower immune surveillance can allow cancer cells to evade detection and growth control.
BsmI & TaqI (rs1544410 & rs731236):
Influence how well vitamin D binds to its receptor and exerts its protective effects.
Variants associated with weaker immune responses and increased risk of hormone-driven and gastrointestinal cancers.
Individuals with VDR polymorphisms may struggle to maintain optimal vitamin D levels, leading to weakened immune defense against cancer cells.
How Genetic Testing Helps
By identifying VDR polymorphisms through 3x4 Genetic Testing, we can develop personalized strategies to optimize vitamin D absorption and immune function:
✅ Determining Vitamin D Requirements:
Those with VDR variants may need higher doses of vitamin D to achieve protective levels.
Testing helps determine whether supplementation is necessary and at what dose.
✅ Enhancing Immune Function for Cancer Defense:
Combining vitamin D with immune-supporting nutrients like magnesium, zinc, and omega-3s enhances effectiveness.
Ensuring adequate sun exposure or UV therapy for natural vitamin D production.
✅ Targeted Prevention & Treatment Strategies:
Patients with low VDR activity may need higher vitamin D levels for better cancer protection.
Optimizing vitamin D metabolism can improve chemotherapy and immunotherapy responses.
Since vitamin D is a key player in immune surveillance and tumor suppression, understanding VDR function through genetic testing allows for a personalized, data-driven approach to cancer prevention and treatment support.
Additional SNPs to Consider in Your Cancer Care Protocol
Beyond these key SNPs affecting detoxification, hormone metabolism, and immune function, additional genetic variations can further influence cancer risk, treatment response, and recovery.
BRCA1 & BRCA2 mutations impair DNA repair, significantly increasing the risk of breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. Testing can identify high-risk individuals for preventative screenings and targeted therapies like PARP inhibitors.
GSTP1 plays a role in detoxifying carcinogens, and certain SNPs reduce this ability, increasing susceptibility to cancer and resistance to chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin.
NQO1 helps neutralize toxic estrogen metabolites and environmental carcinogens, but some variants weaken its function, impacting chemotherapy metabolism and treatment effectiveness, particularly in lung cancer and leukemia.
TNF-α is a key driver of inflammation, and high-activity variants can promote tumor growth and metastasis. Testing can help guide anti-inflammatory interventions to reduce cancer progression risks.
IL-6 influences immune response and inflammation, with elevated levels linked to treatment resistance, fatigue, and muscle wasting (cachexia) in cancer patients. Identifying high-risk individuals can help tailor immune-supportive strategies.
SOD2 is crucial for antioxidant defense, and impaired function increases oxidative stress, raising the risk of cancers like breast, prostate, and lung. Supporting antioxidant pathways can mitigate these risks.
APOE affects inflammation and drug metabolism, with APOE4 carriers facing higher cancer risks and altered chemotherapy responses. Testing helps guide dietary and metabolic strategies to improve treatment outcomes.
By incorporating these SNPs into a personalized cancer care plan, we can enhance treatment precision, optimize detoxification, and reduce inflammation, ultimately improving recovery and long-term health.
Taking Charge of Your Health and Healing with Genetic Insights
Genetic testing provides a deeper understanding of how your body detoxifies, repairs DNA, and regulates inflammation—all of which play a crucial role in cancer prevention, treatment, and recovery.
By identifying SNPs in GSTM1, GSTT1, MTHFR, and VDR, individuals can take a more personalized approach to cancer care, focusing on targeted interventions to optimize detoxification, hormone balance, and immune function.
With this knowledge, you can:
Understand your personal risk factors and make lifestyle changes to help lower them
Fine-tune your treatment plan to improve effectiveness and reduce side effects
Support your body’s natural detox and immune function, helping it fight cancer more efficiently
Personalize your recovery plan so you can rebuild strength and resilience after treatment
Genetic testing takes the guesswork out of cancer care, providing insights that allow you and your healthcare team to create a plan that works with your body, not against it. Whether it’s adjusting your diet, optimizing supplements, or refining treatment approaches, these small but strategic changes can make a significant impact on your health and healing.
Erin, Dr. Jamie, and Sarah all review 3x4 Genetic Testing results as part of our integrative care model. We routinely use these insights to personalize treatment plans for our members. If you're a member, Dr. Jamie offers this review during your first year upon request.
If you’re not a member and interested in a single service, you can schedule a Terrain 3x4 Genetic Testing Consultation with Erin Cunningham for personalized insights and a clear action plan tailored to your unique genetic blueprint.
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Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The content has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment plan.
