Provided herein is a method and system to increase selective therrnomechanical damage to a biological body, such as a cancer cell. The biological body or cancer cell is specifically targeted with nanoparticulates comprising one or more targeting moieties and effective to form nanoparticulate clusters on or within the biological body or cell. Pulsed electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength spectrum selected for a peak wavelength near to or matching a peak absorption wavelength of the nanoparticulates selectively heats the nanoparticulates resulting in selective and increased thermomechanical damage to the biologic body or cells without affecting any surrounding medium or normal cells or tissues. Also provided is a method of treating leukemia using the methods and system described herein.
