Polymeric Micelles for Multiple-Drug Delivery

Abstract

Polymeric micelles have been widely studied in preclinical drug development for drug solubilization, controlled drug release, and drug targeting. Polymeric micelles are attractive because of their nanoscopic size, proven safety profile in humans over existing intravenous vehicles in clinical practice, and high capacity for drug solubilization. Hydrophobic interaction between polymeric micelles and poorly water-soluble drugs is the primary driving force for drug solubilization. In a prodrug strategy, amphiphilic block copolymer–drug conjugates also assemble into polymeric micelles, resulting in drug solubilization and triggered drug release in response to an acidic {pH,} aiming for tumor targeting. In both strategies, polymeric micelles entrain two or three different kinds of poorly water-soluble drugs, simplifying the delivery of drug “cocktails.” Polymeric micelles raise the prospective for simultaneous tumor targeting of multiple poorly water-soluble anticancer agents, aiming for synergistic efficacy.