The objective of this study is to evaluate the potential applicability of a ternary drug delivery system, that incorporates chitosan (CHI) into poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid PLGA nanoparticles (NPs) and Floxouridine (FdU) oligomers with varying lengths to be delivered in cancer cells. Two FdU oligomers containing five (FdU5) and ten (FdU10) residues were used. PLGA NPs were prepared from O/W nano-emulsion templates using the low energy emulsification phase inversion composition (PIC) method. Binary vectors comprised of FdU oligomer/CHI and ternary vectors based on FdU/CHI/PLGA NPs were prepared and fully characterized in terms of size, surface charge, and morphology. The resultant ternary vectors displayed spherical morphology and positive surface charge, with particle sizes in the nanometric range at appropriate FdU5/CHI/PLGA and FdU10/CHI/PLGA ratios. The presence of CHI and FdU10 oligomer in the ternary system significantly reduced the cellular viability leading to greater cytotoxicity values (ca. 60 %) when compared to an unbound FdU10 oligomer. The potential of nano-emulsions as a tool for preparing ternary drug delivery systems and improving the transportation of FdU oligomers into tumor cells is highlighted in this study.