Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles
Published on: August 28, 2015
Polymeric micellar delivery systems in oncology
1Investigative Treatment Division, Research Center for Innovative Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan. yhmatsum@east.ncc.go.jp
Polymeric micelles offer targeted cancer chemotherapy by concentrating anti-cancer drugs in tumors. This drug delivery system aims to reduce side effects and improve anti-tumor effects, with several micelle formulations in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology in Medicine
- Oncology
- Drug Delivery Systems
Background:
- Cancer chemotherapy aims for selective drug delivery to tumor tissues.
- Polymeric micelles are investigated for enhanced drug accumulation in tumors via the enhanced permeability and retention effect.
- Micelles can encapsulate various drugs through chemical conjugation or physical entrapment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential of polymeric micelles as targeted drug delivery systems in cancer chemotherapy.
- To reduce adverse drug effects and enhance anti-tumor efficacy.
- To evaluate micelle-based drug carriers in clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the enhanced permeability and retention effect for drug accumulation.
- Controlling micelle size (20-100 nm) to prevent passage through normal vessel walls.
- Incorporating anti-cancer agents like cisplatin, SN-38, and paclitaxel into micelle carriers.
Main Results:
- Polymeric micelles demonstrated potential for increased drug accumulation in tumor tissues.
- Controlled micelle size may lead to a reduced volume of distribution and fewer side effects.
- Several anti-cancer agent-incorporated micelle systems are progressing through clinical evaluations.
Conclusions:
- Polymeric micelles represent a promising strategy for targeted cancer chemotherapy.
- Clinical trials are underway for micelle formulations of cisplatin (NC-6004), SN-38 (NK012), and paclitaxel (NK105).
- Further research and clinical evaluation are warranted to establish the full therapeutic potential of these nanocarriers.
Related Concept Videos
Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted
Drug Delivery Systems: Different Types
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Rate-Programmed II
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Classification
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Overview

