Quantitative whole-body autoradiography, LC-MS/MS and MALDI for drug-distribution studies in biological samples: the ultimate matrix trilogy.

The drug-development process requires an understanding of the ADME properties of the novel therapeutic agent. Determination of drug concentrations and identity in excreta (urine and feces) examines the products of these processes. Similar measurements made on plasma, while accurately determining exposure, show only what is being transported around the body.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-ion mobility separation-mass spectrometry imaging of vinblastine in whole body tissue sections.

During early-stage drug development, drug and metabolite distribution studies are carried out in animal tissues using a range of techniques, particularly whole body autoradiography (WBA). While widely employed, WBA has a number of limitations, including the following: expensive synthesis of radiolabeled drugs and analyte specificity and identification. WBA only images the radiolabel.