MALDI-MS imaging for the study of tissue pharmacodynamics and toxicodynamics

Bioanalysis. 2015;7(1):91-101. doi: 10.4155/bio.14.280.

Abstract

Pharmacodynamics and toxicodynamics are the study of the biochemical and physiological effects of therapeutic agents and toxicants and their mechanisms of action. MALDI-MS imaging offers great potential for the study of pharmaco/toxicodynamic responses in tissue owing is its ability to study multiple biomarkers simultaneously in a label-free manner. Here, existing examples of such studies examining anticancer drugs and topically applied treatments are described. Examination of the literature shows that the use of MS imaging in pharmaco/toxicodynamic studies is in fact quite low. The reasons for this are discussed and potential developments in the methodology that might lead to its further use are described.

MeSH terms

  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / instrumentation
  • Chemistry, Pharmaceutical / methods*
  • Diagnostic Imaging
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization / methods*