Intelligent thermoresponsive polymeric micelles for targeted drug delivery

Nano-order sized supramolecular assemblies called polymeric micelles possess two-separated phase structure; a hydrated hydrophilic outer shell provides their highly structural stabilities in aqueous media and a hydrophobic inner core acts as a drug loading container. First anticancer polymeric micelle carrier systems showed a selective accumulation at solid tumor tissues and a subsequent in vivo anticancer activity. Recently, stimuli-responsive polymeric micelles have been designed as the next generation of micelle systems for application in selective drug release at target sites by physical and/or chemical signals. We suggested a concept using thermoresponsive polymeric micelle drug carriers in conjunction with local heating systems for multi-targeting therapeutic systems to achieve effective cancer chemotherapy with fewer side effects. The present review article mainly focuses on strategy and molecular design of thermoresponsive polymeric micelles and discusses their potential for an intelligent targeted drug carrier system with some examples containing anti-cancer drugs.