Graphitic Materials for RF Thermal Ablation of Tumors

Graphitic nanomaterials have been synthesized by chemical vapor deposition in different morphologies, sizes, and shapes. After being administered to cancerous HeLa cell cultures for 24 h, it was found that they were uptaken inside various subcompartments of the cells. The surface charge was observed to play a major role if the cells were absorbed with predilection inside the cytoplasm or the nucleus. Radio-frequency electromagnetic radiation of 350 kHz was applied to the cell cultures, and it was found that the graphitic materials are strong absorbers of such radiation, a fact which was reflected in a higher localized heating inside the cells. The nanoparticles were found to create localized damage at the level of DNA and various membranes, which was reflected in the inducement of apoptosis of the cells. Various experimental conditions and how they correspond to the cell-death observations are presented as well.