Mixed micelles made of Pluronic and PEG-PE for solubilization of poorly soluble anticancer drug paclitaxel

Stable mixed micelles have been prepared based on Pluronic 105 and poly(ethylene glycol)-phosphatidyl ethanolamine conjugate (PEG-PE) and loaded with the poorly soluble anticancer drug, paclitaxel (PCT). To increase the drug loading, Pluronic L61 was also added to the composition. Drug concentration was achieved of up to 450 μg/mL of the micelle suspension, while the solubility of the free drug is about 1 μg/mL. The PCT-loaded mixed micelles were stable upon storage and firmly retained the incorporated drug. PCT-loaded mixed micelles demonstrated high cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cancer cells in vitro.