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Updated: Oct 6, 2025

Surface-enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering Nanoprobe Ratiometry for Detecting Microscopic Ovarian Cancer via Folate Receptor Targeting
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Surface-enhanced Resonance Raman Scattering Nanoprobe Ratiometry for Detecting Microscopic Ovarian Cancer via Folate Receptor Targeting

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Active Targeted Nanoformulations via Folate Receptors: State of the Art and Future Perspectives

Cristina Martín-Sabroso1,2, Ana Isabel Torres-Suárez1,2, Mario Alonso-González1

  • 1Department of Pharmaceutics and Food Technology, School of Pharmacy, Complutense University, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Pharmaceutics
|January 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Folate receptors (FRs) are overexpressed in cancer and inflammatory diseases, making them a promising therapeutic target. Targeting FRs with ligands or nanocarriers offers improved drug delivery and reduced toxicity for these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Biomedical Science
  • Drug Delivery
  • Nanotechnology

Background:

  • Folate receptors (FRs) exhibit low expression in normal tissues but are overexpressed in cancer cells and activated macrophages.
  • This overexpression presents a therapeutic opportunity for targeted drug delivery in pathological conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the use of folate receptors (FRs) as a target for novel therapeutic strategies.
  • To explore nanoformulations for targeted drug delivery and imaging in cancer and inflammatory diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of strategies for folate receptor targeting, including high-affinity ligands (folic acid, monoclonal antibodies) and ligand-decorated nanocarriers.
  • Analysis of nanoformulations for therapeutic and imaging applications targeting FRs.

Main Results:

  • Folate receptor targeting enables selective drug delivery to cancer cells and activated macrophages.
  • Nanoformulations enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce systemic toxicity of treatments.
  • Targeted approaches show potential for both therapeutic intervention and diagnostic imaging.

Conclusions:

  • Folate receptor targeting is a viable strategy for developing advanced therapeutics for cancer and inflammatory diseases.
  • Nanoformulations offer a promising platform for FR-targeted drug delivery and imaging, improving treatment outcomes.
Keywords:
etarfolidefolic acidmirvetuximab soravtansineovarian cancerrheumatoid arthritistargeted therapiestheranosticvintafolide

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