Targeted delivery of paclitaxel using folate-conjugated heparin-poly(β-benzyl-l-aspartate) self-assembled nanoparticles

► We designed a folate-heparin-poly(β-benzyl-l-aspartate) (HP) nanoparticulate system. ► Paclitaxel was incorporated into three types of heparin-based nanoparticles. ► The cellular uptake revealed that they could serve as active targeting drug carriers. ► The FPHP nanoparticles showed higher and more selective cytotoxicity in cancer cells.