Targeted photoacoustic compounds

Abstract

A targeted photoacoustic system comprising a targeting motif for targeting a cell and a photoacoustic compound conjugated to the targeting motif via a linker. The photoacoustic compound has an absorption maximum wavelength of 650 nm to 1350 nm. The system can comprise a tag. The photoacoustic compound can be a quencher e.g., Black Hole Quencher ®, Black Berry Quencher, or Dabcyl. The photoacoustic compound can be a nanoparticle e.g., gold nanoparticle. The targeting motif can be a nucleotide aptamer, peptide aptamer, peptide, Peptide Nucleic Acid Oligomers (PNAOs), L-ribonucleic acid aptamer, antibody, antibody fragments or nanobody. The targeting motif can be a peptide for macrophage targeting such as macrophage colony stimulating factor (M-CSF), colony-stimulating factor-1, mannose, scavenger receptor A (SR-A), C-type lectin receptor 2 (CLE2), or a human antibody. The targeted photoacoustic system can comprise a skin penetrating peptide. The delivery system can be a liposome or other lipid-like vesicle. A further aspect is a device comprising a reservoir, an applicator, and an illuminator. The applicator can be a transdermal injector or high-pressure jet injector. The illuminator can be a laser. The targeted acoustic system or device can be used for tattoo removal. A further aspect is a computer program. Figure 4