Ruslan G. Tuguntaev, Chukwunweike Ikechukwu Okeke, Jing Xu, Chan Li, Paul C. Wang and Xing-Jie Liang Pages 2857 - 2865 ( 9 )
Polymersomes are self-assembled nano-vesicles composed of amphiphilic block copolymers. These building blocks can be selected from a large number of hydrophilic and hydrophobic polymers in order to achieve required properties of the final system, such as biodegradability, sustainable and multiple stimuli-response drug release, long blood circulation, and low toxicity. Moreover, the surface of polymersomes can be functionalized to induce targeting character. Polymersomes are able to encapsulate a broad range of hydrophilic or/and hydrophobic molecules either in the aqueous core or membrane bilayer, respectively. In addition, colloidal stability and low membrane fluidity make polymersomes attractive nano-sized drug carriers. The review describes polymersomes compositions, their applications in pharmaceutical delivery, and preparation methods.
Polymersomes, amphiphilic block copolymers, pharmaceutical delivery, hydrophobic drugs, hydrophilic drugs, co-loading, preparation methods.
, , , , , Laboratory of Controllable Nanopharmaceuticals, CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology of China, Beijing, 100190, China.