title: Multifunctional micellar nanomedicine for cancer therapy.
abstract: Polymeric micelles are supramolecular, core-shell nanoparticles that offer considerable advantages for cancer diagnosis and therapy. Their relatively small size (10-100 nm), ability to solubilize hydrophobic drugs as well as imaging agents, and improved pharmacokinetics provide a useful bioengineering platform for cancer applications. Several polymeric micelle formulations are currently undergoing phase I/II clinical trials, which have shown improved antitumor efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity. This minireview will focus on recent advancements in the multifunctional design of micellar nanomedicine with tumor targeting, stimulated drug release, and cancer imaging capabilities. Such functionalization strategies result in enhanced micellar accumulation at tumor sites, higher drug bioavailability, as well as improved tumor diagnosis and visualization of therapy. Ultimately, integrated nanotherapeutic systems (e.g., theranostic nanomedicine) may prove essential to address the challenges of tumor heterogeneity and adaptive resistance to achieve efficacious treatment of cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, D2.210, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
authors.forename: Elvin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Chase W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Kessinger
authors.forename: Baran D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Sumer
authors.forename: Jinming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008823:Micelles; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D011108:Polymers / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers