Dual targeted delivery of doxorubicin to cancer cells using folate-conjugated magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes

► Dual targeted delivery vehicle of doxorubicin (DOX) was developed based on MWCNT. ► The dual targeted drug delivery combines the specific ligand-receptor interaction with magnetic targeting. ► DOX could be loaded with high loading efficiency and showed pH-dependent drug release. ► Drug-loaded vehicles were taken up by U87 cells with subsequent intracellular drug release. ► DOX released from vehicles show enhanced cytotoxicity toward U87 cells.