Folate is a B vitamin necessary for basic biological functions, including rapid cell turnover occurring in cancer cell proliferation. Though the role of folate as a causative versus protective agent in carcinogenesis is debated, several studies have indicated that the folate receptor (FR), notably subtype folate receptor alpha (FRα), could be a viable biomarker for diagnosis, progression, and prognosis. Several cancers, including gastrointestinal, gynecological, breast, lung, and squamous cell head and neck cancers overexpress FR and are currently under investigation to correlate receptor status to disease state. Traditional chemotherapies have included antifolate medications, such as methotrexate and pemetrexed, which generate anticancer activity during the synthesis phase of the cell cycle. Increasingly, the repertoire of pharmacotherapies is expanding to include FR as a target, with a heterogenous pool of directed therapies. Here we discuss the FR, expression and effect in cancer biology, and relevant pharmacologic inhibitors.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.currproblcancer.2022.100917 | DOI Listing |
Ann Thorac Surg Short Rep
September 2024
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Background: Intraoperative molecular imaging (IMI) uses a cancer-targeted fluorescent agent injected into patients to localize tumor nodules. Pafolacianine is a folate receptor (FR)-targeted near-infrared fluorescent probe. Almost 10% of patients have false negative fluorescence findings intraoperatively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiol Reprod
January 2025
Department of Animal Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
The bovine conceptus elongates near Day 16 of development and releases interferon-tau (IFNT), disrupting the endometrial luteolytic mechanism to sustain luteal P4 and pregnancy. Conceptus factors other than IFNT modify local endometrial activities to support pregnancy; however, the microenvironment is largely uncharacterized. We utilized a bovine conceptus-endometrial culture system to elucidate the microenvironment in the form of RNA and protein.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPharmaceutics
December 2024
Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Biological Resources and Genetic Engineering, College of Life Science and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China.
Background: The clinical efficacies of anticancer drugs are limited by non-selective toxic effects on healthy tissues and low bioavailability in tumor tissue. Therefore, the development of vehicles that can selectively deliver and release drugs at the tumor site is critical for further improvements in patient survival.
Methods: We prepared a CEC nano-drug delivery system, CEC@ZIF-8, with a zeolite imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) as a carrier, which can achieve the response of folate receptor (FR).
Cancers (Basel)
December 2024
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand.
Background: Cancer immune evasion is a multifaceted process that synchronizes pro-tumoral immune infiltration, immunosuppressive inflammation, and inhibitory immune checkpoint expression (IC). Current immunotherapies combat this issue by reinstating immunosurveillance of tumors; however, it benefits a limited patient population. Thus, a more effective immunotherapeutic strategy is warranted to cater to specific patient populations.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFReprod Biol Endocrinol
January 2025
Departments of Internal Medicine and Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, 330 Cedar St, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
Background: Overweight and obesity-chronic illnesses in which an increase in body fat promotes adipose tissue dysfunction and abnormal fat mass resulting in adverse metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences-negatively impact female fertility. Adverse conception outcomes are multifactorial, ranging from poor oocyte quality and implantation issues to miscarriages and fetal health issues. However, with the advent of novel pharmacologic agents, significant weight loss can be achieved, improving the chances of healthy pregnancies, and their use should be considered during periconceptual counseling.
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