Active Targeting of Colorectal Cancer Using Chemotherapy-Loaded Nanoparticles Functionalized with a Folate Receptor-α (FRα) Ligand, Pemetrexed.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality with current chemotherapeutic strategies often limited by systemic side effects and suboptimal tumor targeting. This study aimed to enhance the delivery and efficacy of paclitaxel (PTX) for CRC therapy by engineering nanoparticles (NPs) actively targeted to the folate receptor-α (FRα) using pemetrexed, an FDA-approved antifolate with high FRα affinity.

Methods

A novel FRα-targeted polymer (PLGA-PEG-pemetrexed) was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization and used to prepare tumor-targeted nanoparticles (TTNPs). The physical characteristics of TTNPs and non-targeted NPs (NTNPs) were evaluated by dynamic light scattering and TEM. Cellular uptake was assessed in FRα-expressing CT26 colorectal cancer cells

SUBMITTER: Alnatour M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12819448 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature