Development of polymeric micelles for targeting intractable cancers.
In relation to recent advances in nanobiotechnologies, cancer-targeted therapy using nano-scaled drug carriers (nanocarriers) has been attracting enormous attention with success in clinical studies. Polymeric micelles, core-shell-type nanoparticles formed through the self-assembly of block copolymers, are one of the most promising nanocarrier, because their critical features such as size, stability, and drug incorporation efficiency and release rate can be modulated by designing the constituent block copolymers. The utilities of polymeric micelles have been reported not only in experimental tumor models in mice but also in clinical studies. In this article, we aim to explain the rationale of designing polymeric micelles for targeting intractable cancers such as pancreatic cancer, glioblastoma, and metastases. Also, we review recent progress in clinical studies on polymeric micelles incorporating anticancer drugs. In addition, we introduce the next generation of polymeric micelles as the platform integrated with smart functionalities such as targetability, environmental sensitivity, and imaging properties. Thus, polymeric micelles can realize safe and effective cancer therapy, and offer tailor-made medicines for individual patients.
Laboratory for Chemistry and Life Science, Institute of Innovative Research, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan.|Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki, Japan.
Nobuhiro
N
Nishiyama
Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki, Japan.|Investigative Treatment Division, Research Center for Innovative Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
Yasuhiro
Y
Matsumura
Innovation Center of NanoMedicine (iCONM), Kawasaki, Japan.|Department of Materials Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.|Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.|Center for Disease Biology and Integrative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Kazunori
K
Kataoka
D000818:Animals; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods*; D065546:Drug Liberation; D006801:Humans; D008823:Micelles; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011108:Polymers / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers
Clinical trial; drug targeting; nanomedicine; polymeric micelles; theranostics