title: Targeting the Folate Receptor: Effects of Conjugating Folic Acid to DOX Loaded Polymeric Micelles.
abstract: In this paper, we report on a potential cancer drug delivery system that utilizes the ligand targeting of the folate receptor. Our drug delivery system consists of Pluronic-P105 micelles, targeted with folic acid moieties. A melanoma folate positive (FR+) (B16-F10), and a fibroblast folate negative (FR-) (NIH-3T3) cell lines are used to compare the cellular accumulation of a chemotherapeutic drug (Doxorubicin) when the delivery is mediated by folated Pluronic P105 micelles. In order to obtain a proper comparison, we corrected for the quenching of Doxorubicin by folic acid molecules and illustrated the significant effect of quenching on the analysis of similar systems. Results show an 80% increase in the accumulation of the antineoplastic agent in the FR+ cell line, when compared to the FR- cell line, thus providing evidence that the efficacy of Pluronic micelles, as drug delivery vehicles, can be enhanced via folic acid targeting.
authors.forename: Mohamed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Elkhodiry
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab of Emirates. ghusseini@aus.edu.
authors.forename: Ghaleb A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Husseini
authors.forename: Diana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Velluto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored / Q000378:metabolism; D005492:Folic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008823:Micelles; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D058973:Folate Receptors, GPI-Anchored; D008823:Micelles; D020442:Poloxamer; D004317:Doxorubicin; D005492:Folic Acid; C519610:pluronic P105