Advances in the application of fluorescent probes for ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer remains a major challenge among gynecologic malignancies because it often develops with vague or nonspecific symptoms and frequently disseminates within the peritoneal cavity before detection. Currently, no screening strategy has been proven to effectively reduce mortality in the general population, so many patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage. Therefore, improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment precision is important for better clinical outcomes. Fluorescent probe–based imaging has gained increasing attention in ovarian cancer diagnosis, surgical navigation, and treatment monitoring. Owing to their molecular targeting ability, these probes can help visualize small peritoneal implants, micrometastases, and tumor margins that may be difficult to identify under conventional white-light observation. This may improve lesion detection and support more complete cytoreductive surgery. In addition, some probe systems are being investigated for drug-delivery tracking and theranostic applications, combining imaging with therapeutic functions. In recent years, probes targeting ovarian cancer–associated biomarkers such as folate receptor(FR), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(γ-GGT), gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor(GnRHR), and β-galactosidase(β-Gal) activity have been developed. Some of these platforms incorporate activatable fluorescence, photothermal effects, or drug-loading capacity, providing potential strategies for image-guided surgery and targeted therapy. However, several limitations remain. Conventional fluorescent dyes may have limited tissue penetration, photobleaching, background autofluorescence, and dependence on specialized imaging equipment. Off-target accumulation or biomarker expression in normal tissues can also reduce tumor-to-background contrast. Future studies should integrate nanotechnology, chemical probe design, and genetic engineering to improve penetration depth, signal stability, and tumor specificity. Before clinical application, these probes require rigorous validation in standardized trials to assess their safety, reproducibility, imaging performance, and therapeutic value.