Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for increasing the infrared absorptivity of a therapeutic target. Also disclosed are methods for detecting or ablating a therapeutic target that include providing a nanoparticle composition for increasing the infrared absorptivity of the therapeutic target. Subsequently, the therapeutic target having increased infrared absorptivity is exposed to a therapeutically effective dose of infrared irradiation to effect its detection or ablation. In addition, a method is disclosed for treating a subject suffering from a tumor by providing to the tumor a nanoparticle composition for increasing its infrared absorptivity. The tumor having increased infrared absorptivity is then heated by exposing it to a therapeutically effective dose of infrared irradiation.
