OPTICAL IMAGING OF ENDOMETRIOSIS

The invention provides contrast agents for optical imaging of endometriosis in patients. The contrast agent may be used in diagnosis of endometriosis, for follow-up of progress in disease development, and for follow-up of treatment of endometriosis. Further, the invention provides methods for optical imaging of endometriosis. The contrast agent has affinity for an abnormally expressed target associated with endometriosis. By abnormally expressed, is meant that the target is either overexpressed or downregulated. Endometriotic tissue containing a downregulated target may be identified by a low amount of bound contrast agent compared to normal tissue. In this situation, the amount of contrast agent should be less than 50% of that in normal tissue, preferably less than 10%.