Micellar nanocarriers assembled from doxorubicin-conjugated amphiphilic macromolecules (DOX-AM).

Amphiphilic macromolecules (AMs) have unique branched hydrophobic domains attached to linear PEG chains. AMs self-assemble in aqueous solution to form micelles that are hydrolytically stable in physiological conditions (37 degrees C, pH 7.4) over 4 weeks.

Comparison of PEG chain length and density on amphiphilic macromolecular nanocarriers: self-assembled and unimolecular micelles.

Two classes of amphiphilic macromolecules were evaluated for drug delivery applications: those that exist as unimolecular micelles and those that self-assemble in aqueous solution to form micelles. This study compares the poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chain length and density that constitute the corona of both classes. In particular, the effect of PEG branching on micellar size, water-solubility, resolubilization rate, drug loading efficiency and drug release rate were analyzed.