Abstract: The invention relates to new peptide-based compounds and their use in diagnostic optical imaging techniques. More specifically the invention relates to the use of such peptide-based compounds as targeting vectors that bind to receptors associated with angiogenesis. The compounds are labelled with at least one cyanine dye reporter and may be used as contrast agents in optical imaging in diagnosis of angiogenesis-related diseases.

Abstract: A method for the therapeutic treatment of biological tissue of a patient with a low level laser. The method is achieved by diagnosing the nature and extent of the tissue disorder, establishing at least one treatment area, exposing the treatment area to monochromatic, coherent light below the level necessary to cause thermal damage to the tissue being treated, wherein said light is in the near infrared portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and treating the treatment area for sufficient treatment time to produce clinically beneficial effects by delivering a dosage greater than 20 joules/cm2.