Target-specific activatable polymeric imaging agents

摘要

A target-specific image-enhancing agent for medical imaging comprises an extended poly(amino acid), wherein at least 90 percent of the amino acid residues are conjugated to signal-generating moieties attached to signal-controlling moieties via bonds that are cleavable by a physiological substance produced by the target. The image-enhancing agent becomes activated when the bonds is cleaved by the physiological substance. The image-enhancing agent is used in detecting and/or diagnosing a disease that is characterized by an overproduction of the substance.