Polymeric micelles for drug targeting

Polymeric micelles are nano-delivery systems formed through self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers in an aqueous environment. The nanoscopic dimension, stealth properties induced by the hydrophilic polymeric brush on the micellar surface, capacity for stabilized encapsulation of hydrophobic d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of drug targeting 2007-01, Vol.15 (9), p.553-584
Main Authors: Mahmud, Abdullah, Xiong, Xiao-Bing, Aliabadi, Hamidreza Montazeri, Lavasanifar, Afsaneh
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
anti-cancer drugs
Biological and medical sciences
Drug Carriers
drug delivery
Drug Delivery Systems
drug targeting
EPR effect
General pharmacology
Humans
Medical sciences
Micelles
Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry
Pharmacology. Drug treatments
Polymeric micelles
Polymers
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Summary:Polymeric micelles are nano-delivery systems formed through self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers in an aqueous environment. The nanoscopic dimension, stealth properties induced by the hydrophilic polymeric brush on the micellar surface, capacity for stabilized encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs offered by the hydrophobic and rigid micellar core, and finally a possibility for the chemical manipulation of the core/shell structure have made polymeric micelles one of the most promising carriers for drug targeting. To date, three generations of polymeric micellar delivery systems, i.e. polymeric micelles for passive, active and multifunctional drug targeting, have arisen from research efforts, with each subsequent generation displaying greater specificity for the diseased tissue and/or targeting efficiency. The present manuscript aims to review the research efforts made for the development of each generation and provide an assessment on the overall success of polymeric micellar delivery system in drug targeting. The emphasis is placed on the design and development of ligand modified, stimuli responsive and multifunctional polymeric micelles for drug targeting.
ISSN:1061-186X
1029-2330
DOI:10.1080/10611860701538586