Molecular Probes for Pancreatic Cancer Diagnosis: Recent Advances and Further Perspectives

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a highly aggressive malignancy of the digestive system, characterized by an annual mortality rate nearly equivalent to its incidence. Early surgical resection remains the most promising curative approach; however, approximately 90% of patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage due to its insidious onset and rapid metastasis. Currently, anatomical imaging techniques such as endoscopic ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have limited sensitivity and specificity for detecting small and early-stage lesions of PC. Molecular probes, which selectively bind to specific molecular targets, enable the visualization of molecular and cellular abnormalities and hold significant potential for tumor detection and staging. This review focuses on recent advances in molecular imaging strategies for the detection of PC, providing a systematic overview of novel probes used in MRI, PET, fluorescence, and dual-/multi-modal imaging techniques. The advancement of these innovative molecular imaging technologies holds significant potential for improving the sensitivity of early PC diagnosis and facilitating the development of personalized treatment strategies, which may ultimately contribute to better therapeutic outcomes.