Inulin-based polymer coated SPIONs as potential drug delivery systems for targeted cancer therapy.

•A highly biocompatible PEGylated squalene-grafted-inulin copolymer was synthesized.•Polymer coated SPIONs were obtained by spontaneous self-assembling onto magnetite surface.•Doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles showed good magnetic targeting and in vitro anticancer activity.