ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Nanoparticles are defined as particles at dimensions between approximately 1 and 100 nm. They have considerable general industrial applications, and although only a few nanoparticle medicinal products are available at the present time, a spectacular development of these products can be expected over the years to come. In the short and medium term, the main use of nanoparticle medicinal products (NMP) is for vectorization of active principles, corresponding to several products already marketed. Three types of vectors are distinguished at the present time:! First generation vectors: nanospheres and nanocapsules (the best known and most
accessible).! Second generation vectors: nanoparticles coated with hydrophilic polymers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG), pegylated nanoparticles.! Third generation vectors, still under development, combining a biodegradable core and a polymer envelope (PEG) with a membrane recognition ligand.
