PARP-targeted molecular imaging for noninvasive diagnosis and surgical guidance in basal cell carcinoma

Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase 1 (PARP1) is a key DNA repair enzyme and therapeutic target in cancer, with overexpression observed in several cancers, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Conventional diagnostic methods for BCC lack specificity and are invasive, highlighting the need for noninvasive alternatives. PARP-targeted molecular imaging, particularly with fluorescence probes, has shown strong potential for tumor detection and real-time visualization. PARPi-FL, a fluorescent derivative of Olaparib, enables rapid, specific, and high-contrast imaging of BCC in preclinical and ex vivo human studies. Optimized application protocols confirm its safety and translational promise for noninvasive diagnosis and image-guided surgery.