Optical imaging techniques used to detect malignant tumors by endoscopy or at surgery require near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) probes containing dyes with high signal-to-noise (S/N) ratios.[1] Along with a high S/N ratio in the near-infrared spectral region, these probes must accumulate specifically in the targeted tumor tissues. Spherical amphiphilic assemblies with diameters of 50–200 nm, such as liposomes, liposomelike assemblies,[2] and ...
