| abstract |
Novel azo compounds and bioconjugates thereof for phototherapy and / or diagnostics of tumors and other lesions. The azo derivatives of the present invention are designed to absorb in the low energy ultraviolet, visible, near infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The phototherapeutic effect is attributed to a direct interaction between a target radical and a free radical that is a reactive intermediate produced upon photoexcitation of an azo compound. |