Progress and trends in PET/NIRF-based dual-modality imaging probes

The demand for precise clinical diagnosis and treatment monitoring has significantly contributed to the development of molecular imaging, providing a powerful tool for tumor imaging. However, the information provided by single-modal imaging techniques remains limited. By combining two complementary imaging technologies, dual-modality imaging offers more accurate diagnosis and research tools for diagnosis and treatment of tumors. This paper reviews the design strategies and progress of dual-modality imaging probes, particularly those incorporating near-infrared (NIR) or PET in combination with complementary imaging modalities, and introduces their recent biomedical applications in tumor diagnosis and treatment monitoring. In addition, we focus on chemical construction methods of probes, synergistic mechanisms of imaging, and in vivo metabolic properties, and analyze the current challenges and future development directions of clinical translation. Through interdisciplinary cooperation, the designed dual-modality probes are expected to play a key role in improving diagnostic efficiency of various complex diseases.