The present invention relates to fluorescent cobalamins and uses of these compounds.
More particularly, this invention relates to fluorescent cobalamins that comprise
a fluorescent, phosphorescent, luminescent or light-producing compound covalently
linked to cobalamin. These fluorescent cobalamins can be used to as diagnostic
and prognostic markers (a) to distinguish cancer cells and tissues from healthy
cells and tissues, including identifying lymph nodes containing cancer cells, and
(b) to determine if an individual will respond positively to chemotherapy using
cobalamin-therapeutic bioconjugates.
