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Potential for α-Folate Receptor-Targeted Treatment for Ovarian Cancer

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Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Ovarian Cancer

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Abstract

The majority of ovarian and a percentage of many other cancers express high levels of the folate receptor (FR). Folates and clinically approved antifolate drugs are largely transported into tumours and normal tissues via the high capacity reduced-folate carrier (RFC). A new generation of antifolates and folate–drug conjugates have been discovered that are preferentially transported via FRs and, because of highly restricted expression in normal tissues, they reach their targets selectively in tumours expressing the receptors. FRs are also being exploited by the development of therapeutic antibodies, folate-conjugated drug carriers and imaging agents. The preclinical and emerging clinical data demonstrate that the α-FR is an important therapeutic target in cancer with particular relevance in non-mucinous ovarian carcinoma.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Medicine, The Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, Surrey, SM2 5NG, UK

    Chau H.M. Ng & Ann L. Jackman

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  1. Chau H.M. Ng
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  2. Ann L. Jackman
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Correspondence to Ann L. Jackman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Marsden Hospital, Drug Development Unit, Institute of Cancer Research, Sutton, SM2 5PT, United Kingdom

    Stan Kaye

  2. , Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom

    Robert Brown

  3. , Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, W12 0NN, United Kingdom

    Hani Gabra

  4. , Department of Medicine, Royal Marsden Hospital, London, SW3 6JJ, United Kingdom

    Martin Gore

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Ng, C.H., Jackman, A.L. (2011). Potential for α-Folate Receptor-Targeted Treatment for Ovarian Cancer. In: Kaye, S., Brown, R., Gabra, H., Gore, M. (eds) Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Ovarian Cancer. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-7216-3_12

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