The significance of microscopic mass spectrometry with high resolution in the visualization of drug distribution

The visualization and quantitative analysis of native drug distribution in a pre-clinical or clinical setting are desirable for evaluating drug effects and optimizing drug design. Here, using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) with enhanced resolution and sensitivity, we compared the distribution of a paclitaxel (PTX)-incorporating micelle (NK105) with that of PTX alone after injection into tumor-bearing mice.