Ligand Conjugated Polymeric Micelles for Targeted Delivery of Drug Payloads in Cancer Therapy

Therapeutics can be delivered to specific areas in the body using ligand conjugated polymeric micelles. Both passive and active targeting methods can be used to deliver polymeric micelles (PMs) to tumor locations. Polymeric micelles are useful for encapsulating hydrophobic anticancer medicines that are poorly water soluble. Additionally, the outer shell of PMs can be used to target the anticancer medicine to tumors by active mechanisms. Small size, stability, sustained and controlled release of therapeutics, and clinical aspects of malignancies make it possible for polymeric micelles to deliver drugs to tumor locations by virtue of their intrinsic properties. Immuno-fragmentation, cRGD, epidermal growth factors, folate, and transferrin are some of the ligands that are conjugated with polymeric micelles for active targeting. Micelles can also be used to target tumors, which is a prospective target for anticancer medications. In experimental and clinical investigations, different anticancer drugs have been successfully delivered by PMs. An overview of the most recent knowledge on the use of PMs to target anticancer medications to tumor sites is provided in this chapter.