Biocompatible Poly(D,L-lactide)-block-Poly(2-methacryloyloxyethylphosphorylcholine) Micelles for Drug Delivery

Well-defined amphiphilic PLA-b-PMPC diblock copolymers were synthesized. Bimimetic micelles were prepared and applied for release of anti-cancer drugs (DOX). TEM and DLS analysis revealed a regular spherical shape with small diameter (less than 50 nm) of the micelle. The biocompatibility of PLA-b-PMPC micelles was studied, and it was found that the micelles possessed excellent cytocompatibility due to the zwitterionic phosphorylcholine group. DOX could be efficiently loaded into the micelles with a loading efficiency of 44-67%. The DOX-loaded micelles showed lower cytotoxicity than free drugs and efficiently delivered and released the drug into cancer cells. With these properties, the PLA-b-PMPC polymer micelles are attractive as drug carriers for pharmaceutical application.