Nano Micelles an Emerging Platform for Drug Delivery

Micelles have for decades been researched as carriers of drug delivery. Through the enhanced permeability and retention effect, their use can potentially result in high drug accumulation at the target site. Although micelles allow for a great depth of tissue penetration for the delivery of targeted drugs, they typically disintegrate into the body easily. Therefore, a challenge is continuous drug delivery from micellar nanocarriers. This article summarizes different main techniques and underlying concepts for the use of micellar nanocarriers for continuous drug delivery. Other competing delivery mechanisms, such as polymeric microparticles and nanoparticles, are contrasted. To form nanoscale micelles, amphiphilic molecules self-assemble in suitable liquid media. Prodrug application, drug polymer conjugates, novel polymers with low critical micellar concentration or reverse thermoresponsive nature, reverse micelles, multi-layer micelles with layer by layer assembly, polymeric films capable of forming micelles in vivo and micelle coats on a solid support are strategies for sustained release nanomicellar carriers. For sustained drug delivery, these new micellar systems are promising.