Pluronic Block Copolymers as Novel Therapeutics in Drug Delivery

Abstract

Pluronic® block copolymers are found to be an efficient drug delivery system with multiple effects. The incorporation of drugs into the core of Pluronic® micelles results in increased solubility, metabolic stability, and circulation time for the drug. This review will focus on two aspects of Pluronic® block copolymers in drug delivery applications, the interactions of single molecular chains of Pluronic® copolymers ("unimers") with multidrug resistant cancer cells, resulting in sensitization of these cells with respect to various anticancer agents, and the inhibition of drug efflux transporters in both the blood brain barrier and the small intestine by unimers, which provides for the enhanced transport of selected drugs to the brain and increases oral bioavailability.