Key Summary of Folate Receptor Alpha (FOLR1):

Molecular Structure

• 257 amino acid glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked protein
• Produced by FOLRL gene on chromosome 11
• Strong folate binding capacity (kd ~ 1 nM)

Physiological Functions

• Essential for one-carbon metabolism
• Crucial in cell division and embryonic growth
• Critical for neural tube development

Disease Relevance

• Linked to neural tube defects
• Overexpressed in multiple cancers (ovarian, lung, breast)
• Associated with poor patient prognosis

Cancer Treatment Approaches

• Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) targeting FOLR1
• Emerging therapies include:
• Folate inhibitors
• Immunotherapeutic techniques
• Bispecific antibodies

Future Potential

• Biomarker for disease detection
• Promising diagnostic and therapeutic applications

Potential for personalized treatment strategies