Silica nanoparticles are attractive carriers due to their improved safety and effectiveness in drug delivery. Silica nanoparticles were synthesized by using microemulsion assisted sol-gel method, and a model anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was added to the silica precursor before hydrolysis and condensation reactions start. The obtained materials were characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Drug encapsulation within silica nanoparticles causes an increase in particle size. However, particle morphology is not affected. The drug release profile was obtained through high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The encapsulation approach showed to be effective for sustaining a continuous and increasing release during testing time (98 h). Further studies were performed to evaluate the cytotoxic effects of silica nanoparticles with loaded 5-FU on Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1). Materials are non-cytotoxic for all concentration tested (5-200 mu g/mL).