title: Polymeric micelles for drug targeting.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
authors.forename: Abdullah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahmud
authors.forename: Xiao-Bing
authors.initials: XB
authors.lastname: Xiong
authors.forename: Hamidreza Montazeri
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Aliabadi
authors.forename: Afsaneh
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lavasanifar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004337:Drug Carriers; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D004337:Drug Carriers; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers