Increasing the anticancer performance of bufalin (BUF) by introducing an endosome-escaping polymer and tumor-targeting peptide in the design of a polymeric prodrug.

•A novel type of polymeric prodrug of bufalin with endosomal escaping capability was fabricated.•The polymeric prodrug of bufalin exhibited improved anticancer efficacy both in vitro and in vivo.•Endosome escaping segments help to improve the anticancer performance of the polymeric prodrug.