Folate-targeted therapeutic and imaging agents for cancer

Curr Opin Chem Biol. 2009 Jun;13(3):256-62. doi: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2009.03.022. Epub 2009 May 4.

Abstract

Cancer therapies that exploit targeting ligands to deliver attached cytotoxic drugs selectively to malignant cells are currently receiving significant attention. While antibody-targeted drugs have been the first to enter the clinic, recent studies demonstrate that the vitamin folic acid can also be used to deliver attached imaging and therapeutic agents selectively to malignant cells in both animal tumor models and human cancer patients. Thus, folate conjugates bind to folate receptors that are overexpressed on approximately 40% of human cancers and mediate internalization of their attached drugs by receptor-mediated endocytosis. With the use of proper linkers, folate-targeted drugs can be released inside their target cells where they can perform their desired cytotoxic functions. Based on this strategy, six folate-targeted drugs are currently in human clinical trials.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antineoplastic Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Carrier Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Diagnostic Imaging / methods*
  • Drug Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Folic Acid / administration & dosage*
  • Folic Acid / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / biosynthesis
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Folic Acid