MOLECULAR IMAGING OF EPITHELIAL CELLS IN LYMPH

摘要

Methods and imaging agents for imaging epithelial cancer cells in the lymphatic system are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, an imaging agent for imaging cancer cells in a lymphatic system comprises a fluorescent dye conjugated to one or more antibodies. The antibodies are capable of specific binding to an epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM). In addition, embodiments of the imaging agent may be administered to the lymphatic system where the disclosed imaging agents may bind to an epithelial cell adhesion molecule. The bound imaging agents may be excited with excitation light to image cancer cells in the lymphatic system.