Small-Molecule Fluorescent Probes for Detecting Several Abnormally Expressed Substances in Tumors

Malignant tumors have always been the biggest problem facing human survival, and a huge number of people die from cancer every year. Therefore, the identification and detection of malignant tumors have far-reaching significance for human survival and development. Some substances are abnormally expressed in tumors, such as cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), nitroreductase (NTR), pH, biothiols (GSH, Cys, Hcy), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), hydrogen sulfide (H2O2), hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and NADH. Consequently, it is of great value to diagnose and treat malignant tumors due to the identification and detection of these substances. Compared with traditional tumor detection methods, fluorescence imaging technology has the advantages of an inexpensive cost, fast detection and high sensitivity. Herein, we mainly introduce the research progress of fluorescent probes for identifying and detecting abnormally expressed substances in several tumors.