Targeted micellar structures for anticancer drug delivery

Abstract

Most of the chemotherapy drugs are hydrophobic and require the use of a solubilizing agent. Polymeric micelle enhance the solubility of such drugs by carrying them in the hydrophobic core. Block copolymers forming the micelles are composed of hydrophilic and hydrophobic block domains. While hydrophobic domain forms the core of the micellar structure, hydrophilic part form the shell of the micelle in aqueous media. Although micellar structures are good carriers, they need to be further improved as delivery platforms. Premature drug release and non-selective drug delivery are major issues to be addressed. In this thesis, core crosslinked micelles have been developed. In order to address early drug release problem. These micelles were furnished with targeting peptides for specific delivery to cancer cells. Critical micelle concentration of micelles were measured and drug loaded structures were characterized with dynamic light scattering studies.