Anticancer emulsions: Degradable, surfactant-free, micrometer- to sub-micrometer-sized polymer-encapsulated emulsions loaded with lipophilic drugs (doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil) are prepared. In vitro drug-release studies demonstrate controlled release under redox conditions and incubation with human colorectal cancer cells triggers cell death with greater efficiency (P approximate to 10(6) fold) than the free drug.