Pluronic-based core/shell nanoparticles (NPs) were formed using various strategies such as self-assembly and temperature induced-phase transition. To improve their functionality as a nanomedicine for diagnosis and therapy, the vesicle fusion and layer by layer approach were employed. Because of the hydrophilic nature of the Pluronic shell and the relatively small size, Pluronic-based core/shell NPs were used in order to improve their pharmacokinetic behaviors in drugs and in imaging agents. This review will introduce various types of Pluronic-based core/shell NPs according to their preparation method and formation mechanism. The focus will be on the Pluronic-based core/shell NPs for tumor targeting, stimulated release of proteins, and cancer imaging capabilities.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.