Due to systematic side effects, there is a growing interest in nanoparticle formulation of anticancer drugs. Here, we aimed to synthesize poly (styrene-alt-maleic anhydride) cross-linked by melamine (PSMA/Me) and coated with magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) PSMA/Me/Fe₃O₄. In addition, we aimed to load paclitaxel (PTX) into PSMA/Me/Fe₃O₄ for drug delivery and anticancer investigations.

Novel PSMA/Me was synthesized via free radical copolymerization, coated with Fe₃O₄, and then used as a transporter for PTX delivery. Fabricated copolymer was characterized using SEM, TGA, and XRD techniques. Drug release rate and loading efficiency were investigated. Human ovarian cancer cells (Skov-3) and breast cancer cells (MCF-7 cells) were incubated with the serial concentration of either free PTX or PSMA/Me/Fe₃O₄/PTX for cell viability and IC₅₀ analysis for 24 and 48 h.

Characterization methods confirmed PSMA/Me copolymer formation. The results showed a significant encapsulation efficiency of 83%. The drug release analysis exhibited that PSMA/Me/Fe₃O₄/PTX may be considered pH-sensitive nanocarriers. PSMA/Me/Fe₃O₄/PTX reduced cell viability both dose and time-dependently (p < 0.05). IC₅₀ values of PSMA/Me/Fe₃O₄/PTX were low when compared to free PTX either 24 or 48 h post-treatment.

Our results indicated that PSMA/Me/Fe₃O₄/PTX was more cytotoxic than PTX in both cancer cells. Findings indicated the potential of PSMA/Me/Fe₃O₄/PTX as an anticancer nanocarrier system.