Optical fluorescent imaging

Abstract

Compounds and methods are disclosed that are useful for noninvasive imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range. The NIR is highly sensitive for tumor detection and tracking. The application discloses targeting a tumor-enriched cell surface receptor with a ligand-conjugated fluorescent probe, which specifically allows detection of the tumor relative to the negligible animal autofluorescence.

1 - 35 . (canceled) 
   
   
       36 . A compound of formula (V): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein Cat +  is a cation; 
       X and Y are each (CH 3 ) 2 C; and 
       R 8  and R 13  are each independently alkyl, (CH 2 ) r R 25  or (CH 2 ) r R 18 ; wherein at least one of R 8  and R 13  is (CH 2 ) r R 18  and wherein r is an integer from 1 to 50, and R 25  is a member selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, thioacetyl, and sulfonato and R 18  is carboxyl; 
       R 11  and R 12  are each independently H, sulfonato, or together with the atoms to which they are bonded form an aromatic ring; and 
       R 16  and R 17  are each independently H, sulfonato, or together with the atoms to which they are bonded form an aromatic ring. 
     
   
   
       37 . The compound of  claim 36 , wherein R 8  is (CH 2 ) r R 25 . 
   
   
       38 . The compound of  claim 37 , wherein at least one of R 25  is sulfonato. 
   
   
       39 . The compound of  claim 37 , wherein R 13  is (CH 2 ) r R 18 . 
   
   
       40 . The compound of  claim 37 , wherein r is an integer from 1 to 5. 
   
   
       41 . The compound of  claim 39 , wherein r is an integer from 1 to 5. 
   
   
       42 . The compound of  claim 37 , wherein R 11  and R 16  are each sulfonato. 
   
   
       43 . The compound of  claim 37 , wherein R 12  and R 17  are each hydrogen. 
   
   
       44 . The compound of  claim 36 , wherein R 8  is lower alkyl and R 13  is (CH 2 ) r R 18 . 
   
   
       45 . The compound of  claim 44 , wherein R 8  is a C 1 -C 6  lower alkyl substituted with a sulfonato group. 
   
   
       46 . The compound of  claim 44 , wherein r is an integer from 1 to 5. 
   
   
       47 . The compound of  claim 44 , wherein Cat +  is a metal cation. 
   
   
       48 . A compound of the formula: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
       wherein Cat +  is a cation; 
       X and Y are each (CH 3 ) 2 C; and 
       R 11  and R 16  are each independently a member selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, sulfonato, and fluoro. 
     
   
   
       49 . The compound of  claim 48 , wherein R 11  and R 16  are each sulfonato. 
   
   
       50 . The compound of  claim 48 , wherein R 11  and R 16  are each hydrogen. 
   
   
       51 . The compound of  claim 48 , wherein R 11  and R 16  are each fluoro. 
   
   
       52 . The compound of  claim 48 , wherein R 11  is sulfonato. 
   
   
       53 . The compound of  claim 48 , wherein R 16  is sulfonato. 
   
   
       54 . The compound of  claim 48 , wherein Cat +  is sodium.