Abstract: The folate receptor（FR） is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol linked protein, including FRα, FRβ, FRγ. Its expression is low in normal tissue except for higher in human tumor cell membrane surface in the development of tumor. In recent years, studies have shown that FRα has more expression in adenocarcinoma, such as ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical adenocarcinoma, non-small-cell lung cancer and malignant mesothelioma. Researches have shown that FRα affects the occurrence and development of tumor by participating in folic acid metabolism and estrogen receptor regulation and ERK signaling pathway. FRα expression in the gynecologic tumor is still controversial, and the specific mechanism is unknown. The study of various mechanisms of FR will be helpful in the early diagnosis and treatment of gynecological tumor.

Key words: Folic acid, Genital neoplasms, female, Signal transduction, Therapy, Folate receptor alpha