title: Polymeric micelles in anticancer therapy: targeting, imaging and triggered release.
abstract: Micelles are colloidal particles with a size around 5-100 nm which are currently under investigation as carriers for hydrophobic drugs in anticancer therapy. Currently, five micellar formulations for anticancer therapy are under clinical evaluation, of which Genexol-PM has been FDA approved for use in patients with breast cancer. Micelle-based drug delivery, however, can be improved in different ways. Targeting ligands can be attached to the micelles which specifically recognize and bind to receptors overexpressed in tumor cells, and chelation or incorporation of imaging moieties enables tracking micelles in vivo for biodistribution studies. Moreover, pH-, thermo-, ultrasound-, or light-sensitive block copolymers allow for controlled micelle dissociation and triggered drug release. The combination of these approaches will further improve specificity and efficacy of micelle-based drug delivery and brings the development of a 'magic bullet' a major step forward.
authors: Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, The Netherlands. C.Oerlemans@umcutrecht.nl
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Oerlemans
authors: Wouter
authors: W
authors: Bult
authors: Mariska
authors: M
authors: Bos
authors: Gert
authors: G
authors: Storm
authors: J Frank W
authors: JF
authors: Nijsen
authors: Wim E
authors: WE
authors: Hennink
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D008823:Micelles; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D011108:Polymers
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers