Folate Targeted Imaging Agent for Cancer Diagnostic Application through Thermoplastic Elastomeric Fiber Mat

Polyisobutylene-based thermoplastic elastomers have shown excellent biocompatibility and elastic ability to be spun into fiber mat to encapsulate folate targeted imaging agents. Folate receptors are over-expressed on the surface of human cancer tumor cells and have high affinity towards folate (Vitamin B₉). This affinity allows for targeted diagnosing of malignant cells. This project focuses on synthesis of folate molecule that can be attached to a fluorescein derivative to be used as a bio-imaging agent. This agent can be later incorporated into a fiber mat made of poly(alloocimene-b-isobutylene-b-alloocimene) block copolymer thermoplastic elastomer for diagnosis of breast cancer tumor cells.