folate-targeted microbubbles

Folate-targeted microbubbles are **microbubble-based nanoparticles modified by conjugation with folic acid or folate derivatives** to enable active targeting of cells that overexpress the **folate receptor**, which is commonly upregulated on various cancer cells[7][1][2][5]. These microbubbles serve as carriers for imaging agents or therapeutics (such as drugs or genes) and can be loaded with agents like doxorubicin, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles, or DNA[1][2]. Mechanistically, the folate conjugation enhances cell-specific uptake via high-affinity binding to folate receptor proteins, facilitating receptor-mediated endocytosis into target cells[7][1][5]. When combined with ultrasound, these microbubbles can be disrupted (sonoporation) at targeted tissues, triggering localized drug or gene release and enhancing intracellular delivery[1][2][3]. Their primary indications—and main area of research—include **image-guided cancer therapy** (especially for breast cancer and glioblastoma) and local gene delivery in brain tumor applications[1][2][5]. Folate-targeted microbubbles are experimental agents in ultrasound-guided molecular imaging, cancer diagnosis, and therapy.

Other names

folic acid-targeted microbubblesfolate-conjugated microbubblesfolate receptor-targeted microbubblesFA-TNBsFCMBs