DESIGN OF NANOSCOPIC VEHICLES FOR DRUG TARGETING BASED ON MICELLIZATION OF AMPHIPHILIC BLOCK-COPOLYMERS

Block copolymers in a selective solvent (a good solvent for one block but a nonsolvent for the other) form micellar structures through the association of the insoluble segments. Micelles formed through the association of amphiphilic block copolymers have several advantageous features as drug carrier systems due to their considerable thermodynamic stability as well as to the formation df a hydrophobic core separated from the outer aqueous milieu by the palisade of hydrophilic segments. The core acts as the microcontainer of hydrophobic drugs. This paper presents a concept and strategy for using a block copolymer micelle as a nanoscopic virus-mimicking carrier of anticancer drugs to treat solid tumors.