Synthesis of Pyrrole-Based Macrocycles as Molecular Probes for Multimodal Imaging Techniques: Recent Trends

Background: Multimodal imaging is a tool that may allow visualization, by using a single multifunctional compound, of early stage tumors and pharmacokinetic processes, drug action mechanisms and tumor growth processes, taking advantage of the strengths of each modality. Closely related, the emergence of "noninvasive" in vivo imaging revealed several "tip of the spear" contrast agent based technologies, e.g. Positron Emission Tomography/ Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Keywords: Positron Emission Tomography, PET, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, MRI, Fluorescence Imaging, Contrast Agents, Porphyrins, Phthalocyanines, BODIPYs.