Recent Advances in Fluorescent Probes for Cancer Biomarker Detection

Abstract

Many important biological species have been identified as cancer biomarkers and are gradually becoming reliable targets for early diagnosis and late therapeutic evaluation of cancer. However, accurate quantitative detection of cancer biomarkers remains challenging due to the complexity of biological systems and the diversity of cancer development. Fluorescent probes have been extensively utilized for identifying biological substances due to their notable benefits of being non-invasive, quickly responsive, highly sensitive and selective, allowing real-time visualization, and easily modifiable. This review critiques fluorescent probes used for detecting and imaging cancer biomarkers over the last five years. Focuses are made on the design strategies of small-molecule and nano-sized fluorescent probes, the construction methods of fluorescence sensing and imaging platforms, and their further applications in detection of multiple biomarkers, including enzymes, reactive oxygen species, reactive sulfur species, and microenvironments. This review aims to guide the design and development of excellent cancer diagnostic fluorescent probes, and promote the broad application of fluorescence analysis in early cancer diagnosis.

Nanoscale insights into hematology: super-resolved imaging on blood cell structure, function, and pathology

“…Fluorescence nanoscopy, as a high resolution, fast response, and deep imaging tool, has significantly facilitated the identification of valuable biomarkers for oncological diagnosis and therapeutic monitoring. While the importance of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as sources of biomarkers for cancer diagnosis is well recognized [ 93 ], recent emphasis has expanded to include the examination of various biochemical changes at the subcellular level (such as reactive oxygen species, pH alterations, enzymes) [ 94 ]. However, in this section, we will specifically focus on the subcellular level cancer diagnosis and monitoring, examining distribution, interaction and organization of cancer-related subcellular structures in platelets and myeloma cells.…”

Recent Advances in Photoswitchable Fluorescent and Colorimetric Probes

“…Fluorescent and colorimetric probe-based sensing and imaging technology plays an indispensable role in contemporary research domains, leveraging its unmatched sensitivity, specificity, and exceptional spatial and temporal resolution to unlock vast potential in life sciences research and a broad spectrum of analytical applications [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. These probes are capable of transforming specific molecular or ionic changes, physical states, or environmental variations into quantifiable fluorescent or absorption signals.…”