Cell viability was assessed by the MTT every 24h for 3 days. Saline was used as treatment control (A). NPs and TNPs (no drug), and free DAC mildly reduced cell viability. Sequential administration of free DAC and 5-FU showed a similar suppression effects with 5-FU alone (P > 0.05). However, sequential administration of DAC encapsulated in different nanoparticles and 5-FU exhibited stronger suppressive effects compared with the other groups; the inhibitory effects of DAC-TNPs 72h + 5-FU were more pronounced than those of DAC-NPs 72h + 5-FU (*P < 0.05) after the treatment of 24h (B), 48h (C) and 72h (D). DAC, 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine; NPs, nanoparticles; TNPs, gelatinases-stimuli nanoparticles; 5-FU, 5-fluorouracil.