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Updated: Dec 26, 2025
Preparation and Characterization of Individual and Multi-drug Loaded Physically Entrapped Polymeric Micelles
Published on: August 28, 2015
The potential of micelleplexes as a therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma disease
Catarina Melim1, Ivana Jarak1, Francisco Veiga1,2
11Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
Abstract:
Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare aggressive bone, presenting low patient survival rate, high metastasis and relapse occurrence, mostly due to multi-drug resistant cells. To surpass that, the use of nanomedicine for the targeted delivery of genetic material, drugs or both have been extensively researched. In this review, we address the current situation of the disorder and some gene therapy options in the nanomedicine field that have been investigated. Among them, polymeric micelles (PM) are an advantageous therapeutic alternative highly explored for OS, as they allow for the targeted transportation of poorly water-soluble drugs to cancer cells. In addition, micelleplexes are PMs with cationic properties with promising features, such as the possibility for a dual therapy, which have made them an attractive research subject. The aim of this review article is to elucidate the application of a micelleplex formulation encapsulating the underexpressed miRNA145 to achieve an active targeting to OS cells and overcome multi-drug resistance, as a new and viable therapeutic strategy.
Insights
This review explores polymeric micelles (PMs) for osteosarcoma (OS) treatment. Micelleplexes encapsulating miRNA145 offer a promising strategy to target cancer cells and overcome drug resistance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Nanomedicine
- Gene Therapy
Background:
- Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive bone cancer with poor survival rates, high metastasis, and frequent relapse.
- Multidrug resistance (MDR) in OS cells significantly contributes to treatment failure.
- Nanomedicine offers targeted delivery of therapeutics, including genetic material and drugs, to combat OS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current nanomedicine strategies for osteosarcoma (OS).
- To elucidate the potential of micelleplexes for targeted delivery of miRNA145 in OS.
- To explore micelleplexes as a dual therapy to overcome multidrug resistance in OS.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on nanomedicine applications in osteosarcoma.
- Focus on polymeric micelles (PMs) and their cationic derivatives, micelleplexes.
- Investigation of micelleplexes encapsulating miRNA145 for targeted delivery and overcoming drug resistance.
Main Results:
- Polymeric micelles (PMs) are effective for targeted delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs in OS.
- Micelleplexes show promise for dual therapy, enhancing treatment efficacy.
- Encapsulating miRNA145 within micelleplexes presents a novel strategy for active targeting and overcoming OS drug resistance.
Conclusions:
- Micelleplex formulations encapsulating miRNA145 represent a viable and novel therapeutic strategy for osteosarcoma.
- Targeted delivery via nanomedicine, specifically micelleplexes, holds significant potential for improving OS patient outcomes.
- Overcoming multidrug resistance through advanced nanomedicine approaches is crucial for effective osteosarcoma treatment.
