Objective The aim of this study was to construct cationic liposome based CLPs⁃DOX platform for cancer therapy and imaging. Methods In this experiment，CLPs⁃DOX was synthesized by thin film dispersion method. Zeta potential，size distribution and fluorescence of CLPs⁃DOX were analyzed by potentiometric analyzer， fluorescence analyzer，nanoparticle tracking technology. The imaging effect，cytotoxicity of CLPs ⁃DOX on breast cancer cells MDA⁃MB⁃231 were also investigated by fluorescence microscopy，confocal microscopy and CCK⁃8 assay. Results DOX encapsulated efficiency of one ⁃pot synthesis method was higher than two ⁃step method. The fluorescence response value of DOX loaded on CLPs increased after Triton X⁃100 treatment. The fluorescence peaks of DOX and CLPs⁃DOX were both 590 nm. Cancer cells mortality rate increased to 20% in the addition of 1 × 108 particles CLPs⁃DOX. CLPs⁃DOX showed a good imaging effect in breast cancer cells MDA⁃MB⁃ 231. Conclusion The synthesized CLPs⁃DOX exhibits desirable cytotoxicity and imaging capacity with uniform size distribution and high loading efficiency，paving the way to clinical practice.