Immunotherapy targeting folate receptor induces cell death associated with autophagy in ovarian cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Cancer cells are highly dependent on folate metabolism, making them susceptible to drugs that inhibit folate receptor activities. Targeting overexpressed folate receptor alpha (FRα) in cancer cells offers a therapeutic opportunity. We investigated the functional mechanisms of MORAB-003 (farletuzumab), a humanized mAb against FRα, in ovarian cancer models.

Experimental design

We first examined FRα expression in an array of human ovarian cancer cell lines and then assessed the in vivo effect of MORAB-003 on tumor growth and progression in several orthotopic mouse models of ovarian cancer derived from these cell lines. Molecular mechanisms of tumor cell death induced by MORAB-003 were investigated by cDNA and protein expression profiling analysis. Mechanistic studies we

SUBMITTER: Wen Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4297546 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature