Recent Updates on Folate Targeted Drug Delivery Systems in Cancer: A Mini Review

Abstract

Targeted drug delivery systems that selectively deliver anticancer drugs to tumour cells have always been a field of interest to reduce side effects associated with chemotherapy in cancer patients. Cancer cells require nutrients for their multiplication; folic acid is one such nutrient. Expression of folate receptors is negligible in normal cells, whereas they are overexpressed in a variety of cancer cells. A number of studies have shown that selective targeting of folate receptors in cancer is a beneficial approach, as folate targeted anticancer conjugates are selective towards cancer cells, thereby sparing non-cancerous cells. In this review, we have discussed folate receptor, folic acid as a cancer targeting moiety, different folate targeted anticancer drug conjugates, and different folate conjugated nanodelivery systems. This summarized information may turn out to be valuable for researchers to design novel folate targeted anticancer drug delivery systems having the potential to reduce the drawbacks associated with conventional cancer therapeutics.