Overcoming the Road Blocks: Advancement of Block Copolymer Micelles for Cancer Therapy in the Clinic

With countless preclinical studies on block copolymer micelles (BCMs) successfully demonstrating the superiority of these advanced drug delivery formulations over conventional formulations, it remains somehow discouraging that only a few have reached clinical evaluation and practice. With a critical eye, this review aims to compare and summarize the preclinical and clinical data available on several BCM formulations and to identify their primary role in drug delivery as "carrier" or "solubilizer". This review focuses on polymeric micelles that have reached clinical evaluation and/or are being pursued commercially. Where available, we aim to compare the pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and efficacy data obtained in preclinical studies to identify the factors that likely played a key role in a decision to move these formulations forward from the bench to a first-in-human trial. Finally, we summarize clinical data obtained to date, where available, and conclude with the impact that each formulation has had on patients in terms of safety and efficacy.