Mass spectrometry imaging is moving toward drug protein co-localization

Mass spectrometry (MS)-based technology provides label-free localization of molecules in tissue samples. Drugs, proteins, lipids and metabolites can easily be monitored in their environment. Resolution can be achieved down to the cellular level (10–20 μm) for conventional matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging, or even to the subcellular level for more complex technologies such as secondary ionization mass spectrometry (SIMS) imaging. One question remains: are we going to be able to investigate functional relationships between drugs and proteins and compare with localized phenomena? This review describes the various spatial levels of investigation offered by mass spectrometry imaging (MSI), and the advantages and disadvantages compared with other labeling technologies.