Nutritional Strategies in Oncology: A Narrative Review of Advances in Folate-Targeted Therapeutic Approaches for Cancer Treatment.

Abstract

Folate, a water-soluble B vitamin crucial for DNA synthesis and repair, is internalized by cells through specific folate receptors (FRs), which are frequently overexpressed in various types of cancers. In this comprehensive study, we conducted a review of the literature from Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct, focusing on research published between 1980 and 2024 to evaluate folate-targeted therapeutic strategies in oncology. Our study design involved a rigorous review of both preclinical and clinical research, emphasizing strategies such as folate-drug conjugates, antibody-drug conjugates, and folate-targeted nanoparticles. Key findings indicate that targeting FRs in cancers such as ovarian, breast, cervical, renal, and colorectal enhances drug delivery specificity to tumors, increases therapeutic efficacy, and decreases systemic toxicity compared to traditional chemotherapy. Several clinical trials reported improved progression-free survival and overall response rates among patients receiving folate-targeted therapies. In conclusion, our review highlights the significant potential of folate-targeted strategies in advancing precision oncology while these approaches provide substantial benefits in terms of efficacy and safety, further research is essential to refine drug design and expand clinical applications. Such initiatives will facilitate the development of more personalized cancer treatment protocols that maximize therapeutic outcomes while minimizing adverse effects.