Apoptosis and cytotoxicity of oligo(styrene-co-acrylonitrile)-modified montmorillonite

► Montmorillonite modified by oligo(styrene-co-acrylonitrile) (PSAN-MMT). ► PSAN-MMT with little cytotoxicity and low level of apoptosis for the cells. ► The apoptosis followed on a transcription route by activating proapoptotic genes. ► PSAN-MMT as a biosafety controlled-release carrier for drugs and gene delivery.