Folate receptor targeting in cancerMirvetuximab Soravtansine Induces Potent Cytotoxicity and Bystander Effect in Cisplatin-Resistant Germ Cell Tumor Cells.
Study explores FRα-targeted therapy potential
We explored how the folate receptor alpha (FRα) can be a promising target in treating resistant germ cell tumors (GCTs), which often have poor outcomes due to limited therapeutic options. Our research centered on mirvetuximab soravtansine (MIRV), an antibody-drug conjugate that specifically targets FRα, which is frequently overexpressed in many cancer types, including GCTs.
Through our experiments, we observed that FRα levels were significantly higher in several GCT cell lines as compared to normal tissue. When we treated cisplatin-resistant GCT cells with MIRV, we found it not only triggered cell death but also had a strong effect on unintended bystander cells in direct coculture experiments. This suggests that the treatment may extend its reach beyond just the targeted cancer cells.
Additionally, we confirmed through immunohistochemistry that FRα protein expression is notably elevated in GCT patients after chemotherapy, especially in those with unfavorable prognoses. Our findings emphasize the need for further exploration of FRα-targeting therapies as a potential treatment option for GCTs, particularly those that do not respond well to current therapies. MIRV shows significant antitumor effects and encourages further studies into its use in battling treatment-resistant GCTs.
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We set out to explore how folate can improve treatment strategies for breast cancer, particularly in the HER2-positive subtype. To do this, we designed lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) that could deliver DNA targeted specifically at breast cancer cells. The exciting part was that we used a combination of trastuzumab, a monoclonal antibody that targets HER2, and folate to enhance how effectively these nanoparticles reached the cancer cells.
In our experiments, we created LNPs that captured a DNA plasmid coding for a fluorescent protein. This allowed us to track the effectiveness of our dual-targeting strategy in different breast cancer cell lines. The results were compelling; we found that pairing trastuzumab with folate significantly increased cellular uptake and expression of the delivered DNA when compared to using trastuzumab alone. This indicates that folate plays a crucial role in enhancing the effectiveness of targeted treatments.
Additionally, we conducted tests using zebrafish to confirm that our dual-targeted nanoparticles demonstrated better targeting and transfection under realistic biological conditions. Overall, our findings suggest that this dual-targeting method may provide a more effective approach to delivering therapeutic DNA to HER2-positive breast cancer cells, showcasing the potential for incorporating folate in future cancer treatment strategies.
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Folate enhances glioblastoma treatmentLocal delivery of ibrutinib by folate receptor-mediated targeting PLGA-PEG nanoparticles to glioblastoma multiform: and studies.
Significant targeting effectiveness demonstrated
We aimed to explore how folate’s targeting capabilities can enhance the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, a dangerous type of brain cancer with very low survival rates. Our study focused on creating specialized nanoparticles that encapsulate ibrutinib, a drug that inhibits cancer cell growth, and examined whether these folate-based nanoparticles could more effectively deliver the medication to cancer cells.
Through our experiments, we discovered that the new folate-targeted nanoparticles significantly improved the uptake of the drug into glioma cells. This was evident as we observed uptake rates rise dramatically in different cell lines, indicating that the folate receptor may be an effective means of directing treatment where it's most needed.
Additionally, the treatment with these folate-targeted nanoparticles resulted in a meaningful reduction in tumor size compared to standard treatment methods. The results suggest that by enhancing the delivery of ibrutinib through a targeted approach, we can potentially improve outcomes for patients with this challenging condition.
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FLOT regimen shows treatment promisePerioperative 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin, and docetaxel (FLOT) regimen in gastric cancer: Pathological regression grade and its relationship to clinical outcome.
Limited relevance for folate effects
We aimed to explore the effectiveness of the FLOT chemotherapy regimen, which incorporates folate, in treating locally advanced gastric cancer. Our study focused on patients who received this treatment from 2017 to 2020, assessing their responses to chemotherapy based on a measure called tumor regression grade (TRG).
Our findings indicated that a significant portion of patients responded well to the therapy, with nearly 30% achieving either a complete or moderate response. Notably, we discovered that lymphovascular invasion—when cancer spreads to the lymphatic system—can help predict these responses.
Crucially, patients who showed positive histopathological responses had much better outcomes, boasting impressive two-year disease-free survival and overall survival rates. With only a small number suffering from severe side effects, the FLOT regimen demonstrates a favorable toxicity profile. Although folate is a component of this treatment, its isolated impact is difficult to deduce since it works in combination with several other medications.
Overall, our results highlight the potential of the FLOT regimen in providing effective treatment options for gastric cancer patients, emphasizing improved survival rates for those who respond positively to chemotherapy.
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Folate and cetuximab effective[A Case of Sigmoid Colon Cancer with Bladder Invasion Successfully Treated with Chemotherapy with mFOLFOX6+Cetuximab].
Combination treatment explored
We observed a compelling case where a 70-year-old woman battling advanced sigmoid colon cancer underwent a transformative treatment. Initially, she presented with significant weight loss and a lack of appetite. A colonoscopy and CT scan revealed that her cancer had invaded the bladder and left ovary, with enlarged lymph nodes indicating an advanced stage.
Faced with a large tumor, the medical team opted for pre-operative chemotherapy before surgical intervention. Notably, the patient's RAS gene was free of mutations, making her a candidate for the mFOLFOX6 regimen alongside cetuximab—a strategic choice. Throughout the six courses of chemotherapy, despite experiencing Grade 3 neutropenia, she did not face intolerable side effects.
Remarkably, the treatment led to a significant reduction in tumor size, paving the way for an open resection of her sigmoid colon, bladder wall, and left ovarian cyst. Post-surgery, she recovered well and was discharged after just ten days. Histopathology revealed that the tumor was a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, classified as ypT4b, ypN0, M0, and ypStage IIc, all with clear surgical margins. Encouragingly, she remained free of recurrence for six months after surgery, highlighting the effectiveness of the cetuximab combination regimen in her treatment journey.
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