Polymeric micelles in anticancer therapy: targeting, imaging and triggered release.
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.
Oerlemans
Chris
C
Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center, Heidelberglaan 100, Utrecht, The Netherlands. C.Oerlemans@umcutrecht.nl
Bult
Wouter
W
Bos
Mariska
M
Storm
Gert
G
Nijsen
J Frank W
JF
Hennink
Wim E
WE
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
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers