Review

Scope of nanotechnology in ovarian cancer therapeutics

Murali M Yallapu¹, Meena Jaggi^3,1,2 and Subhash C Chauhan^3,1,2*

• * Corresponding author: Subhash C Chauhan Subhash.Chauhan@usd.edu

Author Affiliations

¹ Cancer Biology Research Center, Sanford Research/USD, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, USA

² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sanford School of Medicine, The University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA

³ Basic Biomedical Science Division, Sanford School of Medicine, The University of South Dakota, Sioux Falls, SD 57105, USA

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Journal of Ovarian Research 2010, 3:19 doi:10.1186/1757-2215-3-19

Published: 6 August 2010

Abstract

This review describes the use of polymer micelle nanotechnology based chemotherapies for ovarian cancer. While various chemotherapeutic agents can be utilized to improve the survival rate of patients with ovarian cancer, their distribution throughout the entire body results in high normal organ toxicity. Polymer micelle nanotechnology aims to improve the therapeutic efficacy of anti-cancer drugs while minimizing the side effects. Herein, different types of polymer micelle technology based nanotherapies such as PLGA, polymerosomes, acid cleavable, thermosensitive, pH sensitive, and cross-linked micelles are introduced and structural differences are explained. Additionally, production methods, stability, sustainability, drug incorporation and drug release profiles of various polymer micelle based nanoformulations are discussed. An important feature of polymer micelle nanotechnology is the small size (10-100 nm) of particles which improves circulation and enables superior accumulation of the therapeutic drugs at the tumor sites. This review provides a comprehensive evaluation of different types of polymer micelles and their implications in ovarian cancer therapeutics.