A new amphiphilic bifunctional pullulan derivative (named as PDP) was prepared.
PDP exhibited good blood compatibility and low cytotoxicity.
PDP formed cationic core-shell nanomicelles, loading drugs and genes simultaneously.
PDP/DOX/p53 micelles exhibited higher antitumor efficacy in vitro and in vivo.
PDP holds great promise in combined drug/gene treatment for efficient cancer therapy.