Chilka, PallaviPallaviChilkaDesai, NakshiNakshiDesaiDatta, BhaskarBhaskarDatta2025-08-312025-08-312019-02-1910.3390/molecules240407522-s2.0-85061900272http://repository.iitgn.ac.in/handle/IITG2025/2334530791494G-quadruplexes have gained prominence over the past two decades for their role in gene regulation, control of anti-tumour activity and ageing. The physiological relevance and significance of these non-canonical structures in the context of cancer has been reviewed several times. Putative roles of G-quadruplexes in cancer prognosis and pathogenesis have spurred the search for small molecule ligands that are capable of binding and modulating the effect of such structures. On a related theme, small molecule fluorescent probes have emerged that are capable of selective recognition of G-quadruplex structures. These have opened up the possibility of direct visualization and tracking of such structures. In this review we outline recent developments on G-quadruplex specific small molecule fluorescent probes for visualizing G-quadruplexes. The molecules represent a variety of structural scaffolds, mechanism of quadruplex-recognition and fluorescence signal transduction. Quadruplex selectivity and in vivo imaging potential of these molecules places them uniquely as quadruplex-theranostic agents in the predominantly cancer therapeutic context of quadruplex-selective ligands.trueCancer theranostic | G-quadruplex probe | G-quadruplexes | Oncogene promoter | Quadruplex visualizationArticlehttps://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/4/752/pdf?version=15506625821420304919 February 20196375266WOS:000460805900098