DCPO based nanoparticles as a near-infrared fluorescent probe for Cathepsin B†
Abstract
A novel NIR fluorescent probe for CTB was designed and synthesized based on DCPO. The newly synthesized probe was quite water-soluble and formed nanoparticles which has potential in tumor-targeted imaging. When treated with CTB, the probe released the fluorescent molecule DCPO. Imaging of different tumor cells also indicated that the probe was efficient in detecting CTB.