Solubilization of bioactive components in micellar systems controlled drug release

1 Solubilization of bioactive components in micellar systems controlled drug release 

In addition to their applications as biomaterials, such as implants, block copolymers and to a minor extend also graft copolymers, have found since the mid-1970s a strong interest in their colloidal form especially as controlled drug-delivery systems, and as carriers of diagnostic agents. These aspects, essentially based on the solubilization capacity of block copolymers micellar systems have been recently reviewed by Riess and co-workers [ 14,15 ], Malmsten [282], Arshady [283] and Torchilin [284]. Major contributions in this area have come from the groups of Kataoka, Yokoyama and Kabanov and their recent overviews illustrate perfectly the current status of the field [285-289]. 

According to Kabanov and Alakhov [271] three major systems have to be considered for the use of block copolymer micelles in drug delivery  

For these different systems, the main requirements which have to be met, such as biocom-patibiKty, biodegradabiKty, particle size, etc. have been summarized by Kabanov and co-workers [271,288]. 

In fact for intravenous applications, it is critical that the drug-loaded micelles are stable and have a low CMC. Otherwise the micelles will dissociate into unimers upon dilution in the bloodstream causing non-targeted drug release and even toxicity. 

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