Targeting of α _ν β ₃ -Integrins Expressed on Tumor Tissue and Neovasculature Using Fluorescent Small Molecules and Nanoparticles

Abstract

Fluorescent small molecular probes demonstrate greater overall early tumor contrast and rapid visualization of tumors, but the vascular-constrained nanoparticles are more selective for detecting cancer-induced angiogenesis. A combination of both imaging agents provides a strategy to image and quantify integrin expression in tumor tissue and tumor-induced neovascular systems.