Infrared heating of reduced graphene oxide nanosheets as photothermal radiation therapeutic agents for tumor regressions

Present clinical therapies for cancer treatment such as surgical resection, chemotherapy and radiation therapy possess several disadvantages with side effects causing harmful effects. In recent times, non-invasive PTT (Photothermal Therapy) utilizing NIR (near-infrared) laser irradiation was established as a substitute emerging treatment for the cancer. In this study, an eco-friendly ARGO (Graphene Oxide functionalized by Alanine) with great absorbance of 808 nm is fabricated as a PT (Photothermal) platform for the cancer treatment. Graphene Oxide (GO) was shed and conjugated by alanine via pi-pi interactions. Thus, the stability of this ARGO is 2 times more than the RGO (Reduced Graphene Oxide) in the aqueous solution. Predominantly, the effectiveness of the PT conversion of ARGO was improved by 89% and 33% when compared with GO and RGO using 808 nm laser irradiation, resulting the removal of an enormous number of in vitro cancer cells. This ARGO platform comprising of active functional groups permits precise aiming in PTT without damaging tissues and healthy cells.