Abstract:

Objective    To observe expression of folate receptor α in pancreatic cancer in order to evaluate its utility as a molecular imaging target for pancreatic cancer magnetic resonance （MR） diagnosis.  Methods    Folate receptor α expression was evaluated by immunoblot and immunohistochemistry in pancreatic cancer, normal pancreatic tissues, paratumoral and para-tumoral tissues,  and the relationship between folate receptor α expression and clinicopathological parameters was also analyzed.  Results    Folate receptor α was overexpressed in most pancreatic cancer tissues (97.4%, 72/76), but not in the normal controls. Furthermore, up-regulation of folate receptor α was associated with pancreatic cancer metastasis.  Conclusion    Folate-based contrast agents might be helpful in pancreatic cancer MR imaging.

Key words: Pancreatic cancer; Magnetic resonance; Folate receptor alpha1