We have found that oxidized single-wall carbon nanohorns (SWNHox) can exhibit a near-infrared (NIR) laser-triggered accelerated release of encapsulated fullerenes (C-60) from within their inner nanospaces. After the NIR laser irradiation of an aqueous SWNHox encapsulating C-60 solution/toluene biphasic system, C-60 molecules are enriched in the toluene phase. NIR laser-driven SWNHs encapsulating substrates could initiate the development of a new range of drug-delivery systems. (c) 2008 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.