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Pharmaceutics
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Application of Polymeric Micelles for Drug and Gene Delivery, 2nd...
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Application of Polymeric Micelles for Drug and Gene Delivery, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Pharmaceutics (ISSN 1999-4923). This special issue belongs to the section "Drug Delivery and Controlled Release".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2026 | Viewed by 7795

Editors

Prof. Dr. Stanislav Rangelov

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Guest Editor
Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St. 103-A, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: self-assembly; amphiphilic polymers; solution properties; polymer and polymer-hybrid nanoparticles; drug/nucleic acid delivery systems; light scattering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Emi Haladjova

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Guest Editor
Institute of Polymers, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev St. 103-A, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
Interests: polymer micelles; polymer nanoparticles; nanocapsules; DNA/polymer complexes; hybrid nanoparticles; nanocarriers for the delivery of drugs and biomacromolecules
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Polymeric micelles have been extensively studied because of their ability to transfer biologically active agents, such as drugs and nucleic acids. They are formed as a result of the aggregation of amphiphilic block copolymers in aqueous solution. Thus, colloidal particles, mainly in a nanoscale composed of a hydrophobic core surrounded by a hydrophilic shell, are produced. Polymeric micelles are able to effectively solubilize hydrophobic drugs in their core, providing large encapsulation efficiency, high bioavailability, as well as controlled and targeted drug release. The micellar shell protects the hydrophobic part from biological invasion, but, similar to the core, it is also able to accommodate active substances of appropriate nature or genes and nucleic acids and serve as a carrier. Additionally, the specific micellar structure could be easily modified, allowing for the target design of polymeric delivery systems.

In this regard, the design and utilization of polymeric micelles to transport and deliver drugs and nucleic acids are active research areas undergoing continuing development. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide an overview of and summarize the current state of research of the application of polymeric micelles for drug and gene delivery.

This Special Issue is the second edition of the “Application of Polymeric Micelles for Drug and Gene Delivery”.

Prof. Dr. Stanislav Rangelov
Dr. Emi Haladjova
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Pharmaceutics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • polymeric micelles
  • micelleplexes
  • drug delivery
  • gene delivery
  • drug release
  • nanomedicine
  • gene therapy
  • theranostics

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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26 pages, 3613 KB  
Article
Tetronic® 1307-Based Polymeric Micelles and Thermoresponsive Gels for the Co-Delivery of Pentamidine and Miltefosine
by Javier Carriles, Carlos Aydillo, Gregory N. Smith, Cécile A. Dreiss, Paul Nguewa and Gustavo González-Gaitano
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020233 - 12 Feb 2026
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Abstract
Background: Pentamidine isethionate (PTM) and miltefosine (MF) are clinically relevant antiparasitic agents whose use is limited by toxicity, emerging resistance, and the lack of effective co-delivery strategies. Tetronic® 1307 (T1307), an amphiphilic and thermoresponsive block copolymer, was investigated as a carrier to [...] Read more.
Background: Pentamidine isethionate (PTM) and miltefosine (MF) are clinically relevant antiparasitic agents whose use is limited by toxicity, emerging resistance, and the lack of effective co-delivery strategies. Tetronic® 1307 (T1307), an amphiphilic and thermoresponsive block copolymer, was investigated as a carrier to enable their combination therapy. Methods: PTM and MF were formulated in T1307-based micelles and thermoresponsive gels. The systems were characterized by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). Antiparasitic activity was evaluated against Leishmania major promastigotes. Results: MF formed stable micelles that efficiently incorporated PTM, generating a “drug-in-drug” architecture. While T1307 alone showed limited PTM loading, MF promoted mixed micelle formation and enhanced PTM incorporation. At physiological temperature and adequate copolymer concentrations, drug-loaded micelles formed thermoreversible gels suitable for topical application. The combined formulations preserved drug activity and exhibited synergistic effects against L. major. Conclusions: T1307 is a promising platform for the co-delivery of PTM and MF, enabling synergistic combination therapy and thermoresponsive gel formation with potential to reduce systemic toxicity and improve treatment administration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Polymeric Micelles for Drug and Gene Delivery, 2nd Edition)
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16 pages, 1726 KB  
Article
Cationic Polymer Micelles as Carriers of Bioactive Sesquiterpene Lactones from Inula Helenium L. for Effective Treatment of Bacterial Biofilms
by Rumena Stancheva, Tsvetozara Damyanova, Tsvetelina Paunova-Krasteva, Ralitsa Veleva, Tanya Topouzova-Hristova, Viktoria Ivanova, Antoaneta Trendafilova, Ivaylo Dimitrov, Stanislav Rangelov and Emi Haladjova
Pharmaceutics 2025, 17(6), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics17060800 - 19 Jun 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2010
Abstract
Objectives: Nanosized polymeric micelles (PMs) with an average size of about 80 nm and moderately positive ζ potential, based on an amphiphilic poly(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propenone)-b-polylactide (PMPP-PLA) block copolymer, were prepared. They were used as platforms for the delivery of bioactive sesquiterpene lactones from Inula helenium [...] Read more.
Objectives: Nanosized polymeric micelles (PMs) with an average size of about 80 nm and moderately positive ζ potential, based on an amphiphilic poly(4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl)-propenone)-b-polylactide (PMPP-PLA) block copolymer, were prepared. They were used as platforms for the delivery of bioactive sesquiterpene lactones from Inula helenium L. root extract. Methods: The PMs were characterized with good encapsulation efficiency as a maximum value of 72% was reached at a polymer-to-extract mass ratio of 10:1. The loaded micelles exhibited good colloidal stability. An in vitro release was performed showing a burst release profile. The biocompatibility of the resulting PMs was confirmed by assessing their cytotoxic effect on human keratinocytes in vitro by colorimetric assay and flow cytometry. Results: The systems demonstrated the capability to reduce the biomass of pre-formed Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial biofilms. Conclusions: The obtained data clearly determine a trend for a strong combined effect between the PMs and the root extract, distinguishing them with an excellent anti-biofilm potential and prospects for future applications in medical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Polymeric Micelles for Drug and Gene Delivery, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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52 pages, 4624 KB  
Review
Advances in Polymer Micelles for Cancer Therapy: From Conventional to Smart Delivery Systems
by Rayna Georgieva Bryaskova, Krasimir Georgiev Staykov and Damyan Stoyanov Ganchev
Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(2), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18020177 - 29 Jan 2026
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3151
Abstract
Polymeric micelles have become a versatile and clinically significant class of nanocarriers for cancer therapy. They effectively solubilize poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs, extend their circulation in the bloodstream, and promote accumulation in tumors. Early studies focused on conventional PEG-based polymeric micelles that utilize [...] Read more.
Polymeric micelles have become a versatile and clinically significant class of nanocarriers for cancer therapy. They effectively solubilize poorly water-soluble anticancer drugs, extend their circulation in the bloodstream, and promote accumulation in tumors. Early studies focused on conventional PEG-based polymeric micelles that utilize passive targeting based on the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect, with several of these advancing to clinical trials. Active targeting strategies using modified polymer micelles with various targeting ligands have been introduced to enhance cellular uptake and improve tumor specificity. Recently, the field has shifted toward smart polymer micelles that can respond to both internal (endogenous) and external (exogenous) stimuli. These stimuli-responsive systems enable controlled drug release, enhance delivery inside cells, and improve therapeutic effectiveness, all while reducing systemic toxicity. This review summarizes recent advancements in polymer design, drug-loading techniques, preparation methods, and targeting strategies for polymeric micelles, highlighting both preclinical progress and systems that have reached clinical stages. The transition from conventional to smart polymer micelles is a significant advancement toward achieving more precise, effective, and personalized cancer nanomedicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Polymeric Micelles for Drug and Gene Delivery, 2nd Edition)
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