Compounds that selectively bind to membranes of apoptotic cells

1. A compound having the structure represented by formula (V):

including pharmaceutically acceptable salts and optical isomers of the structure of formula (V), wherein R 3 , R 4 and R 6 may be the same or different, and are each selected from hydrogen; C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5 or C 6 alkyl; C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5 or C 6 hydroxyalkyl; and C 1 , C 2 , C 3 , C 4 , C 5 or C 6 fluoroalkyl.

2. A compound according to claim 1 , wherein R 3 and R 4 are each a hydrogen and R 6 are each a butyl.

3. A compound according to claim 1 having the structure represented by formula (VI):

including pharmaceutically acceptable salts and optical isomers of the structure of formula (VI), wherein b stands for an integer of 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

4. A compound according to claim 1 having the structure represented by formula (VII):

including pharmaceutically acceptable salts and optical isomers of the structure of formula (VII), wherein m and n each stands independently for an integer of 1, 2, 3 or 4, and k stands for an integer of 2, 3, 4 or 5.

5. A conjugate comprising a compound according to claim 1 , being linked either directly or through a linker to a marker for imaging, a pharmaceutically-useful drug or a solid support, wherein said linker is selected from C 1 , C 2 , C 3 or C 4 , C 5 or C 6 alkylene, 5 or 6 atom aromatic or heteroaromatic ring, a metal chelator and combinations thereof.

6. A conjugate according to claim 5 , wherein the marker for imaging is for detection by fluorescence, X-ray, computerized tomography (CT scan), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radio-isotope scan, single photon emission tomography (SPECT) or positron emission tomography (PET scan).

7. A conjugate according to claim 5 , wherein the marker for imaging is Gd, or a radioisotope of a metal selected from Tc, In, Cu, Ga, Xe, Tl and Re, or a radioisotope selected from 18 F, 15 O, 18 O, 11 C, 13 C, 124 I, 13 N and 75 Br for PET, and 123 I, 131 I for SPECT.

8. A conjugate according to claim 5 , wherein the marker for imaging is 99m Tc═O for SPECT.

9. A method for the detection of PSE-cells within a cell population comprising:

(i) contacting a cell population with a compound according to claim 1 ; and

(ii) determining the amount of said compound bound to cells, wherein a significant amount of said compound bound to a cell within said cell population indicates its being a PSE cell.

10. A method for the detection of PSE-cells in a patient or an animal, the method comprising:

(i) administering a compound according to claim 1 to the patient or animal; and

(ii) imaging the patient or animal, so as determine the amount of said compound bound to cells, wherein a significant amount of said compound bound to a cell within a cell population indicates its being a PSE-cell.

11. A method for selective targeting of a compound to a PSE cell within a cell population, comprising the step of contacting the cell population comprising said PSE-cell with a compound according to claim 1 , thereby selectively targeting the compound to said PSE-cell within said cell population.

12. A method of targeting anticancer drugs to foci of apoptotic cells in a tumor, the method comprising the step of administering a conjugate according to claim 5 , comprising a cytotoxic drug, thereby achieving targeting of said drug to the foci of apoptotic cells in said tumor.

13. A method for the detection of PSE-cells within a cell population comprising:

(i) contacting a cell population with a conjugate according to claim 5 ; and

(ii) determining the amount of said conjugate bound to cells, wherein a significant amount of said conjugate bound to a cell within said cell population indicates its being a PSE cell.

14. A method for the detection of PSE-cells in a patient or an animal, the method comprising:

(i) administering a conjugate according to claim 5 to the patient or animal; and

(ii) imaging the patient or animal, so as to determine the amount of said conjugate bound to cells, wherein a significant amount of said conjugate bound to a cell within said cell population indicates its being a PSE-cell.

15. A method for selective targeting of a conjugate to a PSE cell within a cell population, comprising the step of contacting the cell population comprising said PSE-cell with a conjugate according to claim 5 , thereby selectively targeting the conjugate to said PSE-cell within said cell population.