Metalloporphyrins for Medical Imaging Applications

In this account, the synthesis and biological evaluation of metalloporphyrins and related structures for use in biomedical imaging applications are outlined. The structural design of these tetrapyrrolic metal chelators is discussed, with evaluation of strategies designed to facilitate more rapid chelation under milder conditions, improve water solubility, and allow for conjugation to targeting groups and macromolecular structures. Particular emphasis is given to the application of these metalloporphyrin structures to clinically relevant imaging techniques including magnetic resonance imaging, fluorescence imaging, radio-imaging, and Raman and photo-acoustic imaging, with a broad overview of the progress made in these areas. The future of research in this area is also examined, with the emerging research interest in more modern multimodal imaging set to dominate the future of biomedical imaging.