Liposomal doxorubicin and nab -paclitaxel are nanoparticle formulations of traditional cancer chemotherapy drugs which have ample clinical experience both pre- and post-nanoparticle modification. The alterations in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, and toxicity compared with their parent compounds are instructive for future development of nanoparticle-based therapies. In this article we review the current status of these agents, emphasizing the alterations in clinical behavior resulting from the nanoparticle formulation of the parent compound.