In vivo antitumor activity of folate-conjugated pH-sensitive polymeric micelles for tumor-targeting cancer therapy

In vivo antitumor activity of multifunctional folate-conjugated intracellular pH-sensitive polymeric micelles has been evaluated in this study. The micelles were prepared from self-assembling amphiphilic block copolymers, folate-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly (aspartate hydrazone adriamycin) [Fol-PEG-P(Asp-Hyd-ADR)]. By folate conjugation, these micelles became highly effective, which is as effective as free ADR, while its toxicity remained low. Therefore, this approach would provide a safer and more patient-friendly methodology for cancer treatment by tumor-targeting active drug delivery.