Advances in mass spectrometry imaging and its application in studying heterogeneous drug distribution
LIU Mao-mei
YE Xiao
HUANG Shu-jia
WANG Yu
WEN Nie
ZHANG Jia-ning
LIU Zhong-bo
LIU Ying
Abstract：As a label-free molecular imaging technique,mass spectrometry imaging integrates high-precision mass spectrometry with spatial mapping to enable in situ spatial distribution analysis of drugs at tissue and cellular levels.This capability effectively overcomes critical limitations inherent in conventional tissue homogenization methods and alternative molecular imaging approaches,establishing mass spectrometry imaging as a powerful tool for investigating heterogeneous drug distribution.This review covers the principles and advancements of secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging,matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging,and desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging.It critically examines current challenges and corresponding strategies in addressing drug heterogeneous distribution research,while systematically summarizing applications in in situ drug distribution analysis,real-time monitoring of pharmacokinetic processes,evaluation of targeted delivery efficiency,and investigation of toxicity mechanisms.
Keywords：mass spectrometry imagingheterogeneous drug distributionin situ distribution visualizationspatial resolutionquantitative analysis
Publication Date：2026-01-30
Online Publishing Date：2026-08-14(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：10( 162-171 )