Gold nanorods-loaded chitosan-based nanomedicine platform enabling an effective tumor regression in vivo

•Green synthesis of nanocomplexes excluding the use of any toxic chemicals.•Increased sN-38 hydrophilicity and sustained drug release from the nanocomplexes.•The acidic conditions for preparing nanoparticles can protect the sN-38 from being inactivated.•Chitosan-based hybrid nanoparticles achieved complete tumor regression without recurrence.