Multilayered Nanoparticles for Controlled Release of Paclitaxel Formed by Near-Critical Micellization of Triblock Copolymers

Abstract

Near-critical micellization (NCM), allowing for precise pressure-tuned control of sequential block collapse and micelle formation, can be synchronized with cancer-drug encapsulation with virtually no drug losses. NCM is demonstrated to produce benign, stable nanoparticles made of PEG- b -PLLA- b -PCL triblock copolymers that are not only solvent-free and paclitaxel-rich, which reduces the body exposure to the excipients, but also nearly burst-release-free, which reduces if not eliminates its toxic side effects while enhancing its therapeutic efficacy.