Liposomes and polymerosomes |
10-2000 |
Self-assembly in aqueous solutions |
High drug-carrying capacity Good for hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs Surface functionalization possible Simple preparation |
Batch-to-batch variability Difficulties in sterilization |
[123,135,138,141,143,150,161,178] |
Microbubbles |
10-1000 |
Various depending on type |
Surface functionalization possible |
Not good for hydrophobic drugs Low drug-carrying capacity |
[145-148,166,168,179] |
Polymeric micelles |
10-100 |
Direct organization or controlled aggregation in solvent |
Long blood circulation time Surface functionalization possible Simple preparation |
Not good for hydrophobic drugs Low drug-carrying capacity |
[123,136,137,155,158] |
Nanoparticles and nanospheres |
10-100 |
Nanoparticles: Polymerization of monomers by emulsion Nanospheres: Interfacial polymerization and phase inversion with polymeric emulsions |
Shape, size and mechanical properties tunable Possibility for controlled release |
Toxicity of residual chemicals from preparation process Limited cellular uptake and degradation |
[123,126,128,139,150,151,155,180] |
Dendrimeres |
1-10 |
Convergent or divergent synthesis |
High functionalized surface |
Difficult preparation process Toxicity |
[123,154,156] |