Provided herein are block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic polymer segment and a hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the hydrophilic polymer segment comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methacrylate phosphatidyl choline) (MPC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wherein the hydrophobic polymer segment comprises

##STR00001##

wherein R′ is —H or —CH.sub.3, wherein R is —NR.sup.1R.sup.2, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl groups, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together have from 5 to 16 carbons, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may optionally join to form a ring, wherein n is 1 to about 10, and wherein x is about 20 to about 200 in total. Also provided are pH-sensitive micelle compositions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

Provided herein are block copolymers comprising a hydrophilic polymer segment and a hydrophobic polymer segment, wherein the hydrophilic polymer segment comprises a polymer selected from the group consisting of: poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), poly(methacrylate phosphatidyl choline) (MPC), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), wherein the hydrophobic polymer segment comprises

##STR00001##

wherein R′ is —H or —CH.sub.3, wherein R is —NR.sup.1R.sup.2, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are alkyl groups, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 together have from 5 to 16 carbons, wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 may optionally join to form a ring, wherein n is 1 to about 10, and wherein x is about 20 to about 200 in total. Also provided are pH-sensitive micelle compositions for therapeutic and diagnostic applications.

The present disclosure is directed toward drug coated balloons, and in particular to drug coated balloons having a drug coating layer that primarily uses therapeutic agents alone for improving the quality of treatments in which drug coated balloons are utilized. Particular aspects may be directed to drug coated balloon having an outer surface, and a drug coating layer on the outer surface of the balloon. The drug coating layer includes at least one therapeutic agent and is substantially free of excipients.

The present disclosure is directed toward drug coated balloons, and in particular to drug coated balloons having a drug coating layer that primarily uses therapeutic agents alone for improving the quality of treatments in which drug coated balloons are utilized. Particular aspects may be directed to drug coated balloon having an outer surface, and a drug coating layer on the outer surface of the balloon. The drug coating layer includes at least one therapeutic agent and is substantially free of excipients.

The present invention in the field of cancer therapeutics is based on the finding (illustrated in FIG. 4) that when cannabinoids are administered to cancer cells after a chemotherapeutic agent has been administered, the combined treatment leads to lower cancer cell viability than administration of the chemotherapeutic agent alone. There is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a chemotherapeutic agent for use in the treatment of breast cancer, wherein said treatment comprises a first phase in which the chemotherapeutic agent is administered, and a subsequent second phase in which a cannabinoid is administered.

The present invention in the field of cancer therapeutics is based on the finding (illustrated in FIG. 4) that when cannabinoids are administered to cancer cells after a chemotherapeutic agent has been administered, the combined treatment leads to lower cancer cell viability than administration of the chemotherapeutic agent alone. There is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a chemotherapeutic agent for use in the treatment of breast cancer, wherein said treatment comprises a first phase in which the chemotherapeutic agent is administered, and a subsequent second phase in which a cannabinoid is administered.

The present invention in the field of cancer therapeutics is based on the finding (illustrated in FIG. 4) that when cannabinoids are administered to cancer cells after a chemotherapeutic agent has been administered, the combined treatment leads to lower cancer cell viability than administration of the chemotherapeutic agent alone. There is provided a pharmaceutical composition comprising a chemotherapeutic agent for use in the treatment of breast cancer, wherein said treatment comprises a first phase in which the chemotherapeutic agent is administered, and a subsequent second phase in which a cannabinoid is administered.

Systems and methods for targeting specific cancer cell subpopulations present in tumor tissue are described. A system can include a first component for specifically targeting cancer stem cells and a second component for specifically targeting differentiated cancer cells. A system can include a drug conjugated to small (e.g., 5-20 nm) nanoparticles, e.g., polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles. The small nanoparticles can be preferentially taken up by cancer stem cells via macropinocytosis and can release a toxic payload within the cancer stem cells without triggering the efflux pump. A system can include a second component that targets differentiated cancer cells, e.g., a free drug or a drug encapsulated in nanoparticles.

Systems and methods for targeting specific cancer cell subpopulations present in tumor tissue are described. A system can include a first component for specifically targeting cancer stem cells and a second component for specifically targeting differentiated cancer cells. A system can include a drug conjugated to small (e.g., 5-20 nm) nanoparticles, e.g., polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles. The small nanoparticles can be preferentially taken up by cancer stem cells via macropinocytosis and can release a toxic payload within the cancer stem cells without triggering the efflux pump. A system can include a second component that targets differentiated cancer cells, e.g., a free drug or a drug encapsulated in nanoparticles.

Systems and methods for targeting specific cancer cell subpopulations present in tumor tissue are described. A system can include a first component for specifically targeting cancer stem cells and a second component for specifically targeting differentiated cancer cells. A system can include a drug conjugated to small (e.g., 5-20 nm) nanoparticles, e.g., polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanoparticles. The small nanoparticles can be preferentially taken up by cancer stem cells via macropinocytosis and can release a toxic payload within the cancer stem cells without triggering the efflux pump. A system can include a second component that targets differentiated cancer cells, e.g., a free drug or a drug encapsulated in nanoparticles.