Fluorescence-guided surgery using tumour-targeted imaging agents has emerged over the past decade as a promising and effective method of intraoperative cancer detection. An impressive number of fluorescently labelled antibodies, peptides, particles and other molecules related to cancer hallmarks have been developed for the illumination of target lesions. New approaches are being implemented to translate these imaging agents into the clinic, although only a few have made it past early-phase clinical trials. For this translational process to succeed, target selection, imaging agents and their related detection systems and clinical implementation have to operate in perfect harmony to enable real-time intraoperative visualization that can benefit patients. Herein, we review key aspects of this imaging cascade and focus on imaging approaches and methods that have helped to shed new light onto the field of intraoperative fluorescence-guided cancer surgery with the singular goal of improving patient outcomes.

在过去的十年中，使用肿瘤靶向显像剂的荧光引导手术已成为一种有前途且有效的术中癌症检测方法。已经开发出大量荧光标记的抗体、肽、颗粒和其他与癌症标志相关的分子来照亮目标病变。正在实施新的方法将这些显像剂转化为临床，尽管只有少数已经通过了早期临床试验。为了使这一转化过程取得成功，目标选择、显像剂及其相关检测系统和临床实施必须完美协调地运作，以实现术中实时可视化，从而使患者受益。在此处，