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Abstract
The use of contrast agents in the clinical setting has increased in recent years with the advent of novel imaging probes capable of reporting specific physiological changes, such as changes in pH or glucose levels, associated with the early development of certain malignancies. The need for early detection of such changes in vivo is addressed here with the design of molecular probes that accumulate in abnormal tissues via a change in oxidation state or non-covalent affinity. The potential of these agents for imaging applications will be discussed in terms of their relaxometric properties, thermodynamic stabilities and kinetic inertness. Furthermore, two of the probes reported here have the potential to work as optical imaging agents as well and their luminescent properties will be discussed from this perspective.
