AKT1 and neoplasm: The novel findings of our study are summarized as follows (1): PTX/NCTD-APRPG-NPs with a core–shell structure were prepared successfully and achieved up to 90% release of PTX in a sustained manner; (2) PTX/NCTD-APRPG-NPs led to significantly greater anti-tumor effects in comparison with PTX-NPs and PTX/NCTD-NPs in both in vitro and in vivo studies; and (3) mechanistic studies revealed that PTX/NCTD-APRPG-NPs markedly induced apoptosis through the AKT and ERK signal pathways, and the effects of these nanoparticles were the greatest among the groups evaluated.