Research progress of organic small probes sensitive to tumor microenvironment

The development, metastasis, and spread of malignant tumors are closely associated with the inherent properties of tumor cells. These tumors often exhibit low pH, low polarity, high viscosity, and hypoxia. Understanding these characteristics is essential for early cancer detection and monitoring treatment effectiveness. Small molecule fluorescent probes have emerged as powerful tools for real-time localization, dynamic detection, and visualization of tumors. In this paper, we review recent progress in the use of these probes to study tumor biology, focusing on their design strategies, response mechanisms, and preclinical applications for detecting pH, viscosity, polarity, and hypoxia.