Synthesis and characterization of cyanine dye poly(ethylene glycol) conjugates as contrast agents for in vivo fluorescence imaging

摘要

Abstract: Cyanine dyes are promising near-IR contrast agents because of their high molar absorption between 700 and 1000 nm, minimal phototoxicity and convenient synthetic availability. It is known that the derivatization of drugs or contrast agents with polyethylene glycol residues leads to enhanced retention in tumor tissue. The purpose of this study was to generate indotricarbocyanines with improved pharmacological properties enabling in vivo fluorescence detection of tumors. Several hydrophilic indotricarbocyanine- poly(ethylene glycol) conjugates of different molecular weight were synthesized and characterized physicochemically and photophysically in order to test their applicability as near IR contrast media. !10