Mixed Micelle Formation through Stereocomplexation between Enantiomeric Poly(lactide) Block Copolymers

Surface-Compartmentalized Micelles by Stereocomplex-Driven Self-Assembly

The unique corona structure of surface-compartmentalized micelles (Janus micelles, patchy micelles) opens highly relevant applications, e.g. as efficient particulate surfactants for emulsion stabilization or compatibilization of polymer blends. Here, stereocomplex-driven self-assembly (SCDSA) as a facile route to micelles with a semicrystalline stereocomplex (SC) core and a patch-like microphase separated corona, employing diblock copolymers with enantiomeric poly(L-lactide)/poly(D-lactide) blocks and highly incompatible corona-forming blocks (polystyrene (PS), poly(tert-butyl methacrylate)) is introduced. The spherical patchy SC micelles feature a narrow size distribution and show a compartmentalized, shamrock-like corona structure. Compared to SC micelles with a homogeneous PS corona the patchy micelles have a significantly higher interfacial activity attributable to the synergistic combination of an amphiphilic corona with the Pickering effect of nanoparticles. The patchy micelles are successfully employed in the stabilization of emulsions, underlining their application potential.

Linear Block Copolymer Synthesis

Block copolymers form the basis of the most ubiquitous materials such as thermoplastic elastomers, bridge interphases in polymer blends, and are fundamental for the development of high-performance materials. The driving force to further advance these materials is the accessibility of block copolymers, which have a wide variety in composition, functional group content, and precision of their structure. To advance and broaden the application of block copolymers will depend on the nature of combined segmented blocks, guided through the combination of polymerization techniques to reach a high versatility in block copolymer architecture and function. This review provides the most comprehensive overview of techniques to prepare linear block copolymers and is intended to serve as a guideline on how polymerization techniques can work together to result in desired block combinations. As the review will give an account of the relevant procedures and access areas, the sections will include orthogonal approaches or sequentially combined polymerization techniques, which increases the synthetic options for these materials.

Multifunctional polymeric micellar nanomedicine in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer

Polymeric micelles are a prevalent topic of research for the past decade, especially concerning their fitting ability to deliver drug and diagnostic agents. This delivery system offers outstanding advantages, such as biocompatibility, high loading efficiency, water-solubility, and good stability in biological fluids, to name a few. The multifunctional polymeric micellar architect offers the added capability to adapt its surface to meet the looked-for clinical needs. This review cross-talks the recent reports, proof-of-concept studies, patents, and clinical trials that utilize polymeric micellar family architectures concerning cancer targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, gene therapeutics, and diagnostic agents. The manuscript also expounds on the underlying opportunities, allied challenges, and ways to resolve their bench-to-bedside translation for allied clinical applications.

Thermoresponsivity, Micelle Structure, and Thermal-Induced Structural Transition of an Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Tuned by Terminal Multiple H-Bonding Units

Constructing noncovalent interactions has been a benign method to tune the stimuli responsivity and assembled structure of polymers in solution; this is essential for controlling the functions and properties of stimuli-responsive materials. Herein, we demonstrate a novel supramolecular strategy to manipulate the cloud point (T_cp) and assembled structure of thermoresponsive polymers in solution by using H-bonding interactions. We use poly(lactide-co-glycolide)-b-poly(ethylene glycol)-b- poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA-PEG-PLGA) as a model thermoresponsive polymer and functionalize its chain terminals by the self-complementary quadruple H-bonding motif, 2-ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone (UPy). UPy end functionalization and increasing PLGA block length decrease the T_cp of copolymer. Both UPy- and nonfunctionalized copolymers form the spherical micelles at low temperature. They undergo the intermicellar aggregation and form large compound micelles during heating; this thermally induced structural transition causes the presence of T_cp. Due to the UPy-UPy H-bonding interactions, UPy end functionalization leads to more copolymer chains to associate in one micelle, thus, enhancing the hydrodynamic, gyration radii, core size, as well as the packing density of PLGA in micelle core and grafting density of PEG on core-shell interface. The decreased T_cp of UPy-functionalized copolymer stemmed from the stronger intermicellar attractions at high temperature. Furthermore, UPy-functionalized copolymers exhibit higher drug loading content, slower drug release rate, and better separation efficiency in removing the hydrophobic substances from water than PLGA-PEG-PLGA precursors.

Stereocomplexed micelle formation through enantiomeric PLA-based Y-shaped copolymer for targeted drug delivery

In this study, a novel stereocomplexed micelle system was prepared from the self-assembly of enantiomeric PLA-based Y-shaped copolymers, i.e. folic acid-adamantane/β-cyclodextrin-b-[poly(D-lactide)]₂ (FA-AD/CD-b-(PDLA)₂) and poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)-b-[poly(L-lactide)]₂ (PDMAEMA-b-(PLLA)₂) in aqueous solution. The newly designed Y-shaped copolymer FA-AD/CD-b-(PDLA)₂ was prepared by a combination of "click" reaction and host guest interaction between FA-AD and CD-b-(PDLA)₂. In addition, enantiomeric Y-shaped PDMAEMA-b-(PLLA)₂ copolymer was synthesized through ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of L-lactide using three-head initiator with bromo and -OH at distal ends, followed by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of DMAEMA to obtain the desired macromolecular architecture. The resultant copolymers and their intermediates were characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC) techniques. Due to the strong stereocomplexation interaction, FA-AD/CD-b-(PDLA)₂ and PDMAEMA-b-(PLLA)₂ mixture could self-assemble into stable mixed micelles in aqueous solution. Further, the stereocomplexed micelles exhibited excellent biocompatibility as revealed in the cytotoxicity assay. Together with the intrinsic biodegradability of PLA, it is envisioned that the stereocomplexed micelles developed in this study can be used as a promising nanocarrier for targeting drug delivery.

Optimization of Weight Ratio for DSPE-PEG/TPGS Hybrid Micelles to Improve Drug Retention and Tumor Penetration

PURPOSE

To enhance therapeutic efficacy and prevent phlebitis caused by Asulacrine (ASL) precipitation post intravenous injection, ASL-loaded hybrid micelles with size below 40 nm were developed to improve drug retention and tumor penetration.

METHODS

ASL-micelles were prepared using different weight ratios of 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-polyethyleneglycol-2000 (DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀) and D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS) polymers. Stability of micelles was optimized in terms of critical micelle concentration (CMC) and drug release properties. The encapsulation efficiency (EE) and drug loading were determined using an established dialysis-mathematic fitting method. Multicellular spheroids (MCTS) penetration and cytotoxicity were investigated on MCF-7 cell line. Pharmacokinetics of ASL-micelles was evaluated in rats with ASL-solution as control.

RESULTS

The ASL-micelles prepared with DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀ and TPGS (1:1, w/w) exhibited small size (~18.5 nm), higher EE (~94.12%), better sustained in vitro drug release with lower CMC which may be ascribed to the interaction between drug and carriers. Compared to free ASL, ASL-micelles showed better MCTS penetration capacity and more potent cytotoxicity. Pharmacokinetic studies demonstrated that the half-life and AUC values of ASL-micelles were approximately 1.37-fold and 3.49-fold greater than that of free ASL.

CONCLUSIONS

The optimized DSPE-PEG₂₀₀₀/TPGS micelles could serve as a promising vehicle to improve drug retention and penetration in tumor.

Complex and Hierarchical 2D Assemblies via Crystallization-Driven Self-Assembly of Poly(l-lactide) Homopolymers with Charged Termini

Poly(l-lactide) (PLLA)-based nanoparticles have attracted much attention with respect to applications in drug delivery and nanomedicine as a result of their biocompatibility and biodegradability. Nevertheless, the ability to prepare PLLA assemblies with well-defined shape and dimensions is limited and represents a key challenge. Herein we report access to a series of monodisperse complex and hierarchical colloidally stable 2D structures based on PLLA cores using the seeded growth, "living-crystallization-driven self-assembly" method. Specifically, we describe the formation of diamond-shaped platelet micelles and concentric "patchy" block co-micelles by using seeds of the charge-terminated homopolymer PLLA₂₄[PPh₂Me]I to initiate the sequential growth of either additional PLLA₂₄[PPh₂Me]I or a crystallizable blend of the latter with the block copolymer PLLA₄₂-b-P2VP₂₄₀, respectively. The epitaxial nature of the growth processes used for the creation of the 2D block co-micelles was confirmed by selected area electron diffraction analysis. Cross-linking of the P2VP corona of the peripheral block in the 2D block co-micelles using Pt nanoparticles followed by dissolution of the interior region in good solvent for PLLA led to the formation of novel, hollow diamond-shaped assemblies. We also demonstrate that, in contrast to the aforementioned results, seeded growth of the unsymmetrical PLLA BCPs PLLA₄₂-b-P2VP₂₄₀ or PLLA₂₀-b-PAGE₈₀ alone from 2D platelets leads to the formation of diamond-fiber hybrid structures.

Polymeric mixed micelles as nanomedicines: Achievements and perspectives

During the past few decades, polymeric micelles have raised special attention as novel nano-sized drug delivery systems for optimizing the treatment and diagnosis of numerous diseases. These nanocarriers exhibit several in vitro and in vivo advantages as well as increased stability and solubility to hydrophobic drugs. An interesting approach for optimizing these properties and overcoming some of their disadvantages is the combination of two or more polymers in order to assemble polymeric mixed micelles. This review article gives an overview on the current state of the art of several mixed micellar formulations as nanocarriers for drugs and imaging probes, evaluating their ongoing status (preclinical or clinical stage), with special emphasis on type of copolymers, physicochemical properties, in vivo progress achieved so far and toxicity profiles. Besides, the present article presents relevant research outcomes about polymeric mixed micelles as better drug delivery systems, when compared to polymeric pristine micelles. The reported data clearly illustrates the promise of these nanovehicles reaching clinical stages in the near future.

Physico-Chemical Strategies to Enhance Stability and Drug Retention of Polymeric Micelles for Tumor-Targeted Drug Delivery

Polymeric micelles (PM) have been extensively used for tumor-targeted delivery of hydrophobic anti-cancer drugs. The lipophilic core of PM is naturally suitable for loading hydrophobic drugs and the hydrophilic shell endows them with colloidal stability and stealth properties. Decades of research on PM have resulted in tremendous numbers of PM-forming amphiphilic polymers, and approximately a dozen micellar nanomedicines have entered the clinic. The first generation of PM can be considered solubilizers of hydrophobic drugs, with short circulation times resulting from poor micelle stability and unstable drug entrapment. To more optimally exploit the potential of PM for targeted drug delivery, several physical (e.g., π-π stacking, stereocomplexation, hydrogen bonding, host-guest complexation, and coordination interaction) and chemical (e.g., free radical polymerization, click chemistry, disulfide and hydrazone bonding) strategies have been developed to improve micelle stability and drug retention. In this review, the most promising physico-chemical approaches to enhance micelle stability and drug retention are described, and how these strategies have resulted in systems with promising therapeutic efficacy in animal models, paving the way for clinical translation, is summarized.

Building the design, translation and development principles of polymeric nanomedicines using the case of clinically advanced poly(lactide(glycolide))-poly(ethylene glycol) nanotechnology as a model: An industrial viewpoint

The design of the first polymeric nanoparticles could be traced back to the 1970s, and has thereafter received considerable attention, as evidenced by the significant increase of the number of articles and patents in this area. This review article is an attempt to take advantage of the existing literature on the clinically tested and commercialized biodegradable PLA(G)A-PEG nanotechnology as a model to propose quality building and outline translation and development principles for polymeric nano-medicines. We built such an approach from various building blocks including material design, nano-assembly - i.e. physicochemistry of drug/nano-object association in the pharmaceutical process, and release in relevant biological environment - characterization and identification of the quality attributes related to the biopharmaceutical properties. More specifically, as envisaged in a translational approach, the reported data on PLA(G)A-PEG nanotechnology have been structured into packages to evidence the links between the structure, physicochemical properties, and the in vitro and in vivo performances of the nanoparticles. The integration of these bodies of knowledge to build the CMC (Chemistry Manufacturing and Controls) quality management strategy and finally support the translation to proof of concept in human, and anticipation of the industrialization takes into account the specific requirements and biopharmaceutical features attached to the administration route. From this approach, some gaps are identified for the industrial development of such nanotechnology-based products, and the expected improvements are discussed. The viewpoint provided in this article is expected to shed light on design, translation and pharmaceutical development to realize their full potential for future clinical applications.

Poly(lactic acid) stereocomplexes: A decade of progress

Upon blending enantiomeric poly(l-lactide) [i.e., poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA)] and poly(d-lactide) (PDLA) [i.e., poly(d-lactic acid) (PDLA)] or synthesis of stereo block poly(lactide) [i.e., poly(lactic acid) (PLA)], a stereocomplex (SC) is formed. PLA SC has a higher melting temperature (or heat resistance), mechanical performance, and hydrolysis-resistance compared to those of neat PLLA and PDLA. Because of such effects, PLA SC has been extensively studied in terms of biomedical and pharmaceutical applications as well as commodity, industrial, and environmental applications. Stereocomplexation stabilizes and strengthens PLA-based hydrogel or nanoparticles for biomedical applications. Stereocomplexation increases the barrier property of PLA-based materials and thereby prolongs drug release from PLA based materials. In addition, PLA SC is attracting significant attention because it can act as a nucleating agent for the widely used biobased polymer PLLA and thereby the heat resistance of PLLA-based materials can be enhanced. Interestingly, a wide variety of SCs other than PLA SC are found to have been formed in the enantiomeric substituted PLA blends and stereo block substituted PLA polymers. In the present review article, a decade of progress in investigation of PLA SCs is summarized.

Facile Layer-by-Layer Self-Assembly toward Enantiomeric Poly(lactide) Stereocomplex Coated Magnetite Nanocarrier for Highly Tunable Drug Deliveries

A highly tunable nanoparticle (NP) system with multifunctionalities was developed as drug nanocarrier via a facile layer-by-layer (LbL) stereocomplex (SC) self-assembly of enantiomeric poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(d-lactic acid) (PDLA) in solution using silica-coated magnetite (Fe3O4@SiO2) as template. The poly(lactide) (PLA) SC coated NPs (Fe3O4@SiO2@-SC) were further endowed with different stimuli-responsiveness by controlling the outermost layer coatings with respective pH-sensitive poly(lactic acid)-poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PLA-D) and temperature-sensitive poly(lactic acid)-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PLA-N) diblock copolymers to yield Fe3O4@SiO2@SC-D and Fe3O4@SiO2@SC-N NPs, respectively, while the superparamagnetic properties of Fe3O4 were maintained. TEM images show a clearly resolved core-shell structure with a silica layer and sequential PLA SC co/polymer coating layers in the respective NPs. The well-designed NPs possess a size distribution in a range of 220-270 nm and high magnetization of 70.8-72.1 emu/g [Fe3O4]. More importantly, a drug release study from the as-constructed stimuli-responsive NPs exhibited sustained release profiles and the rates of release can be tuned by variation of external environments. Further cytotoxicity and cell culture studies revealed that PLA SC coated NPs possessed good cell biocompatibility and the doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded NPs showed enhanced drug delivery efficiency toward MCF-7 cancer cells. Together with the strong magnetic sensitivity, the developed hybrid NPs demonstrate a great potential of control over the drug release at a targeted site. The developed coating method can be further optimized to finely tune the nanocarrier size and operating range of pHs and temperatures for in vivo applications.

WITHDRAWN: PLA Stereocomplexes: A Decade of Progress

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Thermo/pH Dual Responsive Mixed-Shell Polymeric Micelles Based on the Complementary Multiple Hydrogen Bonds for Drug Delivery

Thermo/pH dual responsive mixed-shell polymeric micelles based on multiple hydrogen bonding were prepared by self-assembly of diaminotriazine-terminated poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (DAT-PCL), uracil-terminated methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (MPEG-U), and uracil-terminated poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL-U) at room temperature. PCL acted as the core and MPEG/PNVCL as the mixed shell. Increasing the temperature, PNVCL collapsed and enclosed the PCL core, while MPEG penetrated through the PNVCL shell, thereby leading to the formation of MPEG channels on the micelles surface. The low cytotoxicity of the mixed micelles was confirmed by an MTT assay against BGC-823 cells. Studies on the in vitro drug release showed that a much faster release rate was observed at pH 5.0 compared to physiological pH, owing to the dissociation of hydrogen bonds. Therefore, the mixed-shell polymeric micelles would be very promising candidates in drug delivery systems.

Temperature-responsive mixed core nanoparticle properties determined by the composition of statistical and block copolymers in the core

Mixed core nanoparticles were prepared from self-assembled statistical and block copolymers by controlling the solution temperature. Interestingly, an equal mass of specific statistical copolymers was successfully loaded into block copolymer micelle cores.

Co-micellization behavior in poloxamers: dissipative particle dynamics study

Dissipative particle dynamics simulations are applied to investigate co-micellization behavior for binary mixtures of Poloxamers in dilute aqueous solution. In view of block length similarity/dissimilarity, four representative mixture cases are considered: F127/P123, F127/P105, P123/P84, and F127/L64. With appropriate interaction parameters, the simulations enable us to examine the formation of micelles, their types, size, shape, and composition. In the investigated concentration range, we find that pure and mixed micelles, both ellipsoidal, always coexist for all cases. At similar concentrations, both species form pure micelles of their own together with mixed micelles. In the case of F127/L64, it is found that the L64 chains are involved in the mixed micelles, even when the L64 concentration is below its CMC. The fraction of L64 involved in the mixed micelles is lower as compared to the other systems studied. For all cases, the proportion of mixed micelles can be increased when the two polymer species have similar concentrations. Moreover, shorter chains may prefer to straddle the core and corona in the region of ellipsoidal interface that is closer to the center of mixed micelle.

Structural reorganization of cylindrical nanoparticles triggered by polylactide stereocomplexation

Co-crystallization of polymers with different configurations/tacticities provides access to materials with enhanced performance. The stereocomplexation of isotactic poly(L-lactide) and poly(D-lactide) has led to improved properties compared with each homochiral material. Herein, we report the preparation of stereocomplex micelles from a mixture of poly(L-lactide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) and poly(D-lactide)-b-poly(acrylic acid) diblock copolymers in water via crystallization-driven self-assembly. During the formation of these stereocomplex micelles, an unexpected morphological transition results in the formation of dense crystalline spherical micelles rather than cylinders. Furthermore, mixture of cylinders with opposite homochirality in either THF/H₂O mixtures or in pure water at 65 °C leads to disassembly into stereocomplexed spherical micelles. Similarly, a transition is also observed in a related PEO-b-PLLA/PEO-b-PDLA system, demonstrating wider applicability. This new mechanism for morphological reorganization, through competitive crystallization and stereocomplexation and without the requirement for an external stimulus, allows for new opportunities in controlled release and delivery applications.

A polymer stereocomplex can possess quite different properties to its constituent homopolymers. Here, the authors prepare stereocomplex micelles of amphiphilic block-copolymers via crystallization-driven self-assembly, and observe a change from cylindrical to mixed spherical micelle morphology.

Controlled co-delivery nanocarriers based on mixed micelles formed from cyclodextrin-conjugated and cross-linked copolymers

The combination of multiple drugs within a single nanocarrier can provide significant advantages for disease therapy and it is desirable to introduce a second drug based on host-guest interaction in these co-delivery systems. In this study, a core-stabilized mixed micellar system consisting of β-cyclodextrin-conjugated poly(lactic acid)-b-poly(ethylene glycol) (β-CD-PLA-mPEG) and DL-Thioctic acid (TA) terminated PLA-mPEG (TA-PLA-mPEG) was developed for the co-delivery of DOX and fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled adamantane (FA). DOX can be loaded within the hydrophobic segment of PLA and FA may form stable complexation with β-CD in the core. The mixed micelles (MM) are based on well-accepted medical materials and can be easily cross-linked by adding 1,4-dithio-D,L-threitol (DTT), which can enhance the stability of the system. Drug-loaded MM system was characterized in terms of particle size, morphology, drug loading and in vitro release profile. Cytotoxicity test showed that blank MM alone showed negligible cytotoxicity whereas the drug-loaded MM remained relatively high cytotoxicity for HeLa cancer cells. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) demonstrated that the MM could efficiently deliver and release DOX and FA in the same tumor cells to effectively improve drugs' bioavailability. These results suggested that the core-stabilized MM are highly promising for intracellular co-delivery of multiple drugs.

Polymeric micelles for oral drug administration enabling locoregional and systemic treatments

INTRODUCTION

Amphiphilic block copolymers are recognized components of parenteral drug nanocarriers. However, their performance in oral administration has barely been evaluated to any great extent.

AREAS COVERED

This review provides an overview of the methods used to prepare drug-loaded polymeric micelles and to evaluate their stability in gastrointestinal (GI) fluids, and then analyzes in detail recent in vitro and in vivo results about their performance in oral drug delivery. Oral administration of polymeric micelles has been tested for a variety of therapeutic purposes, namely, to increase apparent drug solubility in the GI fluids and facilitate absorption, to penetrate in pathological regions of the GI tract for locoregional treatment, to carry the drug directly toward the blood stream minimizing presystemic loses, and to target the drug after oral absorption to specific tissue or cells in the body.

EXPERT OPINION

Each therapeutic purpose demands micelles with different performance regarding stability in the GI tract, ability to overcome physiological barriers and drug release patterns. Depending on the block copolymer composition and structure, a wealth of self-assembled micelles with different morphologies and stability can be prepared. Moreover, copolymer unimers can play a role in improving drug absorption through the GI mucosa, either by increasing membrane permeability to the drug and/or the carrier or by inhibiting drug efflux transporters or first-pass metabolism. Therefore, polymeric micelles can be pointed out as versatile vehicles to increase oral bioavailability of drugs that exhibit poor solubility or permeability and may even be an alternative to parenteral carriers when targeting is pursued.

Janus nanoparticles: materials, preparation and recent advances in drug delivery

INTRODUCTION

The term Janus particles was used to describe particles that are the combination of two distinct sides with differences in chemical nature and/or polarity on each face. Due to the exponential growth of interest on multifunctional nanotechnologies, such anisotropic nanoparticles are promising tools in the field of drug delivery.

AREAS COVERED

The main preparation processes and the materials used have been described first. Then a specific focus has been done on therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications of Janus particles.

EXPERT OPINION

Janus particles are demonstrated as interesting objects with advanced properties that combine features and functionalities of different materials in one single unit. Due to their dual structure, Janus particles are promising candidates for a variety of high-quality applications dealing with drug delivery purposes. Still, the main challenges for the future lie in the development of the preparation of shape-controlled and nano-sized particles with large-scale production processes and approved pharmaceutical excipients.

Noncovalent interaction-assisted polymeric micelles for controlled drug delivery

Various individual or synergistic noncovalent interactions were employed to mediate polymeric micelles for controlled drug delivery.

Biodegradable nanoparticles composed of enantiomeric poly(γ-glutamic acid)-graft-poly(lactide) copolymers as vaccine carriers for dominant induction of cellular immunity

Stereocomplex nanoparticles composed of enantiomeric poly(γ-glutamic acid)-graft-poly(lactide) copolymers are excellent vaccine delivery carriers that can elicit potent cellular immunity.

Novel linear-dendritic-like amphiphilic copolymers: synthesis and self-assembly characteristics

Tailoring the self-assembly of linear-dendritic-like amphiphilic copolymers via stereocomplexation.

Biodegradable stereocomplex micelles based on dextran-block-polylactide as efficient drug deliveries

Biodegradable stereocomplex micelles (SCMs) based on amphiphilic dextran-block-polylactide (Dex-b-PLA) were designed and used for efficient intracellular drug deliveries. The Dex-b-PLA copolymers were successfully synthesized by click reaction. The structures of the resultant copolymers were verified by (1)H NMR and FT-IR spectra. The formation of stable micelles through self-assembly driven by the stereocomplexation between enantiomeric l- and d-PLA blocks was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic laser scattering (DLS), and fluorescence techniques. It was interesting to observe that the SCMs showed lower critical micelle concentration values (CMCs) because of the stereocomplex interaction between PLLA and PDLA. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis provided information on the thermal and crystal properties of the copolymers and SCMs. The improved stability of SCMs should be attractive for intracellular drug delivery. Thus, a model anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) was loaded into micelles, and the in vitro drug release in was also studied. The release kinetics of DOX showed DOX-loaded SCMs exhibited slower DOX release. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and flow cytometry studies also showed that the DOX-loaded SCMs exhibited a slower drug release behavior. Meanwhile, the MTT assay demonstrated that DOX-loaded SCMs show lower cellular proliferation inhibition against HepG2. In sum, the micelles through self-assembly driven by stereocomplex interaction would have great potential to be used as stable delivery vehicles for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications.