Engineering of amphiphilic block copolymers for polymeric micellar drug and gene delivery

• Published in: Journal of controlled release Vol. 155; no. 2; pp. 248 - 261
• Main Authors: Xiong, Xiao-Bing, Falamarzian, Arash, Garg, Shyam M, Lavasanifar, Afsaneh
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Kidlington Elsevier B.V 30-10-2011; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antineoplastic Agents - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacokinetics; Antineoplastic Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Cancer; Clinical trials; Colloids; composite polymers; Controlled release; Copolymers; Cross-Linking Reagents - chemistry; Delayed-Action Preparations; Drug Carriers - chemistry; Drug delivery; Drug development; Drug Stability; Drug targeting; Drugs; Gene transfer; Gene Transfer Techniques; General pharmacology; genes; Humans; Medical sciences; Micelles; Molecular Structure; nanocarriers; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanotechnology; Pharmaceutical technology. Pharmaceutical industry; Pharmaceuticals; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Polymeric micelle; Polymers - chemistry; proteins; Shells; Surface Properties; Surface-Active Agents - chemistry; Sustained drug release; Technology, Pharmaceutical - methods; Drug targeting; Sustained drug release; Polymeric micelle; Nanotechnology; Cancer; Drug; Pharmaceutical technology; Targeting; Controlled release form; Control release polymer; Micelle; Drug carrier; Malignant tumor; Genetic transfer; Target; Dosage form; Gene therapy; Block copolymer; Amphiphilic polymer
• ISSN: 0168-3659; 1873-4995
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jconrel.2011.04.028

The use of nano-delivery systems formed through assembly of synthetic amphiphilic block copolymers (ABCs) in experimental medicine and pharmaceutical sciences is experiencing rapid development. This rapid development is driven by a crucial need in improving the performance of existing therapeutic agents, as well as the necessity for the development of advanced delivery systems for complex new entities such as genes, proteins and other cellular components. The flexibility in the construction of appropriate carriers for the delivery requirements of these complex new “drugs” offered by versatile polymer chemistry provides an undeniable advantage for polymer based nano-delivery systems compared to other colloids in this regard. With seven formulations already in different stages of clinical trials, polymeric micelles are in the front line of drug development among different ABC-based nano-carriers. The success in rapid advancement of polymeric micelles from bench to bedside is owed to the rational engineering of core/shell structure so that the polymeric micellar carrier can meet the requirements for optimum delivery of specific drug(s) in certain disease condition(s). The engineering efforts in this regard have mostly been aimed at providing efficient drug loading, micellar stabilization, and sustained and/or site specific drug release. The objective of this review is to provide an update on different engineering strategies employed to achieve optimum polymeric micellar formulations.
Engineering poly(ethylene oxide)-
block–poly(ε-capralactone) micelles for targeted delivery of doxorubicin and siRNA to cancer cells.
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