To what extent can pulsed and Continuous laser irradiation and multivariate optimization improve the therapeutic efficacy and biocompatibility of graphene oxide-indocyanine green nanoparticles for photothermal cancer therapy?

A novel graphene oxide-indocyanine green nanocomposite (GO-ICG) was developed to enhance photothermal therapy (PTT) by addressing limitations in biocompatibility, photothermal efficiency, and imaging. GO-ICG leverages synergistic interactions: GO provides photothermal stability, while ICG boosts energy absorption. Under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation, ICG functionalization increased GO’s photothermal response 2.5-fold, achieving rapid heating (45°C in 2 minutes at 0.3 mg/mL, 1.5 W) versus GO alone (5 minutes). Pulsed irradiation (on: 200–1000 ms; off: 50–150 ms) minimized thermal damage while sustaining efficacy. Biocompatibility improved significantly, with > 90% cell viability at ≤ 0.4 mg/mL under pulsed irradiation, compared to GO’s cytotoxicity. GO-ICG enabled dual theranostics: (1) potent PTT (98% HeLa cell death at 1.5 W/50 minutes) and (2) real-time fluorescence imaging for treatment monitoring. The composite demonstrated stability across multiple irradiation cycles. Statistical analyses (ANOVA) confirmed ICG’s role in enhancing GO’s temperature response, and regression models predicted temperature changes. This platform merges precision photothermal action, biosafety, and imaging, overcoming critical barriers in cancer nanomedicine for clinical translation.