Abstract: The present technology relates generally to a method of manufacture comprising: preparing at a first temperature a non-supersaturated solution comprising a micelle forming block copolymer and a drug in a polyethylene glycol (PEG) solvent; and diluting the non-supersaturated solution with water at a second temperature to form an aqueous solution comprising drug-loaded micelles without crystallization of the PEG block(s) of the block copolymer; wherein the block copolymer comprises at least one PEG block and a second biocompatible polymer block that is not PEG, the drug has a water solubility of about or less than 10 mg/mL at 25° C., and the second temperature is lower than the first temperature, but does not allow the cooled solution to become supersaturated.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to oligolactic acid conjugates and stereocomplexes of conjugates of gemcitabine and gemcitabine derivatives, micelle compositions containing such conjugates or stereocomplexes of conjugates, and methods of preparing and using such compositions to treat various cancers. The oligolactic acid conjugates and stereocomplexes of conjugates may include oligolactic acid comprising 2 to 20 lactic acid subunits and may be attached through an amide linkage to the nitrogen of the 4(N) of the gemcitabine or gemcitabine derivative. Compositions comprising water and a micelle comprising a polylactic acid-containing polymer and the oligolactic acid conjugate or stereocomplex of conjugates may be readily prepared. Methods of inhibiting or killing cancer cells and treating gemcitabine sensitive cancers are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is in the field of polymer-based nano-carriers for the solubilization and delivery of hydrophobic drugs, and relates to methods of making said carriers, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising said carriers. Novel PEO-b-PCL micelles and micelles containing cyclosporine A or analogs thereof are provided as well as a novel method for making said micelles that reduces aggregation and enhances delivery, the toxicity profile and biodistribution of hydrophobic drugs.

Abstract: Hydrophobic drugs become more practical for treatments by being encapsulated in micelle compositions for increasing solubility. Micelle compositions may include an excipient tocopherol and/or prodrug formulations of the drug. Micelles extend the time period the drug remains in the micelles to improve drug circulation time and thereby drug delivery. Hydrophobic drugs for micelle encapsulation may include rapamycin, geldanamycin, and paclitaxel. Administration of these micelle compositions does not require Cremophor EL or Tween 80, avoiding serious side effects associated with these products which would previously accompany such drug administration.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating a Th1 mediated disease state by administration to a subject of a slow release vehicle such as a liposome or microsphere formulation containing an antigenic peptide and a Th1 specific immunomodulator wherein the antigenic peptide contains a T cell epitope and is released from the vehicle at a rate in the range from about 10 to 2 weight percent of the peptide in 24 hours at 37° C.