PurposeImaging the PARP expression using18F probes 
has been approved in clinical trials. Nevertheless, hepatobiliary clearance of both18F probes hindered their application in monitoring abdominal lesions. Our novel68Ga-labelled probes aim for fewer abdominal signals while ensuring PARP targeting by optimizing the pharmacokinetic properties of radioactive probes.MethodsThree radioactive probes targeted PARP were designed, synthesized, and evaluated based on the PARP inhibitor Olaparib. These68Ga-labelled radiotracers were assessed in vitro and in vivo.ResultsPrecursors that did not lose binding affinity for PARP were designed, synthesized, and then labelled with68Ga in high radiochemical purity (> 97%). The68Ga-labelled radiotracers were stable. Due to the increased expression of PARP-1 in SK-OV-3 cells, the uptake of the three radiotracers by SK-OV-3 cells was significantly greater than that by A549 cells. PET/CT imaging of the SK-OV-3 models indicated that the tumor uptake of68Ga-DOTA-Olaparib (0.5 h: 2.83 ± 0.55%ID/g; 1 h: 2.37 ± 0.64%ID/g) was significantly higher than that of the other68Ga-labelled radiotracers. There was a significant difference in the T/M (tumor-to-muscle) ratios between the unblocked and blocked groups as calculated from the PET/CT images (4.07 ± 1.01 vs. 1.79 ± 0.45,P= 0.0238 < 0.05). Tumor autoradiography revealed high accumulation in tumor tissues, further confirming the above data. PARP-1 expression in the tumor was confirmed by immunochemistry.ConclusionAs the first68Ga-labelled PARP inhibitor,68Ga-DOTA-Olaparib displayed high stability and quick PARP imaging in a tumor model. This compound is thus a promising imaging agent that can be used in a personalized PARP inhibitor treatment regimen.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s00259-023-06249-6.