Intelligent micellar polymeric nanocarriers for therapeutics and diagnosis

Abstract

Polymeric micelles can be designed and synthesized to bear polymeric blocks with different hydrophilicities; this triggers their self-assembly into micellar aggregates similar to those generated with traditional surfactants. The basic structure consists of a hydrophobic core, capable of containing guest substances, and a hydrophilic shell, which stabilizes the payload and protects it from external degradation or prevents its quick elimination from the body. The accumulation of block copolymer micelles (BCMs) in a target cell or tissue can be accomplished by two main mechanisms, passive and active targeting; this allows the payload release at the site of action when desired. Hence, in this general overview, we pay special attention to newly developed single-stimulus-and multistimuli-responsive delivery systems capable of disassembling and reassembling (in some cases) as a response to changes in their physicochemical properties. Also, special interest is also devoted to multifunctional BCMs incorporating multiple therapeutic agents and/or multiple imaging contrast agents, which can be considered the new generation (third generation) of drug-delivery systems, that is, nanotheranostic platforms. Finally, a summary of BCM-based drug-delivery systems currently under clinical trials is given.

pH‐sensitive polymeric particles as smart carriers for rebar inhibitors delivery in alkaline condition

“…With simple synthesis process, mild synthetic environment, low raw materials cost and high yield, P(AA–AM) is very suitable for industrial production. Nowadays, a large number of poly acrylic acid derivatives have been developed for therapeutics and diagnosis, which also confirmed their low toxicity . In addition, our previous study has indicated that the polymer is biodegradable, thus, it may have some advantage applying P(AA–AM) to control rebar inhibitors releasing …”

“…Nowadays, a large number of poly acrylic acid derivatives have been developed for therapeutics and diagnosis, which also confirmed their low toxicity. 2,41,42,60 In addition, our previous study has indicated that the polymer is biodegradable, thus, it may have some advantage applying P(AA-AM) to control rebar inhibitors releasing. 36…”

“…During the last two decades, considerable attempts have been made to develop drug delivery control technologies . Among which, the development of new smart carriers is mandatory to reach the goal of drug delivery control in special condition, for example, intestine environment, intracellular targets, coatings .…”

“…1,2 Among which, the development of new smart carriers is mandatory to reach the goal of drug delivery control in special condition, for example, intestine environment, intracellular targets, coatings. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The materials utilized as intelligent carriers are capable of responding to environmental variations, and are usually envisaged to develop crosslinked network that enable them absorb or desorb large quantities of water in response to environmental trigger, such as the variation of temperature, pH, and concentration of some chemical. [7][8][9][10][11][12] Therefore, such materials deserve the potential applications in site-specific drug delivery systems and now have been successfully applied in biomedical area.…”

Preparation of Layer‐by‐Layer Films with Remarkably Different pH‐Stability and Release Properties Using Dual Responsive Block Copolymer Micelles

“…An example of such a block copolymer is poly [2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate-b-poly(2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate)] (PDMA-b-PDEA) which forms micellar aggregates with PDMA corona and PDEA cores at pH above the pK a of PDEA block (≈7.3). [19] PDEA micellar cores were found to dissolve at moderately acidic pH conditions [20] which is quite important for site-specific drug delivery applications [21][22][23] where pH is lower than blood pH of 7.4.…”