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Camptothecin (CPT) is an effective anticancer agent against various cancers but the clinical application is limited because of its poor water solubility, low bioavailability and severe toxic side effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility of using targeted NPs as a high-performance CPT delivery system that targets liver cancer cells through intravenous (i.v.) administration route. CPT was incorporated into biotin-F127-PLA or F127-PLA polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) by a dialysis method. The preparation of the targeting NPs was performed by conjugating biotin-F127-PLA NPs with anti-3A5 antibody. The antitumor effect of the CPT-loaded nanoparticles against H22 cellsin vitrowas determined using an MTT assay. Tissue distribution and tumor inhibitionin vivowere also evaluated.SurvivinmRNA expression was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results showed that the targeted CPT NPs exhibited regular spherical shapes with a mean diameter of approximately 180 nm.In vitrorelease of the targeted CPT NPs exhibited an initial burst (40%) within 12 h, followed by a slow release. Cytotoxicity test against H22 cells indicated that the targeted CPT NPs exerted significant antitumor effects. Compared with free CPT and non-targeted CPT NPs, the targeted CPT NPs showed superior inhibition ratio against tumorin vivo, which may be associated with reducedsurvivinmRNA expression. The results suggested that the new targeted CPT NPs may be a promising injectable delivery system for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]