DRUG TARGETING WITH NANOPARTICLES

Nanoparticles are colloidal polymeric particles (size < 1000 nm) to wh ich drugs are bound by sorption, incorporation, or chemical binding. A fter intravenous injection they normally distribute into the organs of the reticuloendothelial system (liver, spleen, lungs, bone marrow). H owever, their body distribution can be altered by coating with surfact ants or with physiological components such as serum complement factors . The influence of these coatings on the body distribution and possibl e mechanisms for the alteration of this distribution are discussed. Di fferently coated nanoparticles can be used for the targeting of bound drugs to tumors, to the brain, and to inflamed areas in the body.