Title:Targeting the Folate Receptor: Effects of Conjugating Folic Acid to DOX Loaded Polymeric Micelles
VOLUME: 16 ISSUE: 10
Author(s):Mohamed A. Elkhodiry, Ghaleb A. Husseini and Diana Velluto
Affiliation:Department of Chemical Engineering, College of Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab of Emirates.
Keywords:Doxorubicin, micelles, folate, active targeting, quenching, B16-F10, melanoma.
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.
