Current frontiers in clinical research application of MALDI imaging mass spectrometry

Abstract

Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is still a relatively young imaging technique that allows molecular mapping of diverse biomolecules in their natural environment. Furthermore, IMS allows for the direct correlation of tissue histology and proteomic, metabolomic or lipidomic information. In recent years, increasing efforts have been made in the development and improvement of IMS, which aid its application in clinical research. In this article, current frontiers of clinical research applications of IMS are discussed in the context of recent developments of IMS technology. Critical stages in planning and realizing clinical studies are highlighted. Finally, a selection of recent prominent examples for successful clinical applications of IMS is presented.

Keywords::

• clinical proteomics
• imaging mass spectrometry
• MALDI imaging mass spectrometry
• molecular pathology
• tissue protein analysis

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the BMBF (no. 0315508A and no. 01IB10004E) and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB 824 TP B1, SFB 824 TP Z2, and WA 1656/3-1). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.