Composite nanoparticles were prepared and characterized as a sustained delivery system for paclitaxel, an anticancer drug. Gold nanoparticles were used as building blocks for constructing the composite nanoparticles. An ionic interaction between the anionic gold nanoparticles and cationic chitosan was induced to form the composite nanoparticles. Particle size analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmittance electron microscopy, and ultraviolet-visible were used to observe the formation of the composite nanoparticles. For the application of the composite nanoparticles as a drug carrier, paclitaxel was loaded into the composite nanoparticles, and the drug-release pattern was observed. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.