Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Targeted Plasma Membrane Delivery of a Hydrophobic Cargo Encapsulated in a Liquid Crystal Nanoparticle Carrier
Published on: February 8, 2017
Polymeric micelles and alternative nanonized delivery vehicles for poorly soluble drugs
1Purdue University, School of Pharmacy, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA.
Abstract:
Poorly soluble drugs often encounter low bioavailability and erratic absorption patterns in the clinical setting. Due to the rising number of compounds having solubility issues, finding ways to enhance the solubility of drugs is one of the major challenges in the pharmaceutical industry today. Polymeric micelles, which form upon self-assembly of amphiphilic macromolecules, can act as solubilizing agents for delivery of poorly soluble drugs. This manuscript examines the fundamentals of polymeric micelles through reviews of representative literature and demonstrates possible applications through recent examples of clinical trial developments. In particular, the potential of polymeric micelles for delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs, especially in the areas of oral delivery and in cancer therapy, is discussed. Key considerations in utilizing polymeric micelles' advantages and overcoming potential disadvantages have been highlighted. Lastly, other possible strategies related to particle size reduction for enhancing solubilization of poorly water-soluble drugs are introduced.
Related Concept Videos
Site-Targeted Drug Delivery Systems: Polymeric Carriers
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Solubility Enhancement
Modified-Release Drug Delivery Systems: Site-Targeted
Factors Affecting Dissolution: Particle Size and Effective Surface Area
Bioavailability Enhancement: Drug Permeability Enhancement
Pharmaceutical Alternatives: Polymorphic Form-Related and Particle Size-Related Therapeutic Nonequivalence

