Folic Acid-Conjugated Nanocarriers for Targeted Cancer Therapy: Recent Patents and Future Prospects

As folate receptors are overexpressed on the surface of many tumor cells, folic acidconjugated nanocarriers have emerged as a promising approach for targeted cancer therapy. These nanocarriers enhance therapeutic efficacy while reducing systemic toxicity and adverse effects by enabling selective drug delivery. The design, synthesis, and application of folic acid-functionalized nanocarriers such as polymeric nanoparticles, liposomes, dendrimers, and micelles have advanced significantly, as evidenced by recent patents. Key objectives of these developments include improving stability, drug loading capacity, controlled release, and receptor-mediated endocytosis. To translate these targeted nanocarriers from bench to bedside, this study examines significant patents submitted over the past ten years, evaluates their clinical potential, and discusses current challenges and potential future directions.