PubMed ID: 19370751
Author(s): Prabaharan M, Grailer JJ, Steeber DA, Gong S. Thermosensitive micelles based on folate-conjugated poly(N-vinylcaprolactam)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) for tumor-targeted drug delivery. Macromol Biosci. 2009 Aug 11;9(8):744-53. doi: 10.1002/mabi.200800366. PMID 19370751
Journal: Macromolecular Bioscience, Volume 9, Issue 8, Aug 2009
Thermosensitive PNVCL-b-PEG block copolymer coupled with folic acid was prepared as an anti-cancer drug carrier. This polymer self-assembled into stable micelles in aqueous solutions at above 33 degrees C. At 37 degrees C, the release profile of PNVCL-b-PEG-FA micelles showed a slower and more controlled release of the entrapped 5-FU than that at 25 degrees C. The blank and 5-FU-loaded PNVCL-b-PEG-FA micelles did not induce remarkable cytotoxicity against the EA.hy 926 human endothelial cell line; however, 5-FU-loaded PNVCL-b-PEG-FA micelles showed a cytotoxicity effect against 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma cells due to the availability of loaded anti-cancer drugs delivered to the inside of the cancer cells by the folate-receptor-mediated endocytosis process.