abstract |
Multi-modal tumor imaging of neuroblastoma is essential for tumor staging, response evaluation and detection of relapsed diseased. The present invention provides a norepinephine analogue with a near-infrared (near-IR) dye, W765-BG, that efficiently and stably detects neuroblastoma in vivo using near-IR optical imaging. Confocal microscopy and optical imaging of neuroblastoma xenografts shows cell specific uptake and reveals exceptional tumor retention with a high tumor-to-tissue ratio up to 7 days after injection of W765-BG. |