Localization of sunitinib in in vivo animal and in vitro experimental models by MALDI mass spectrometry imaging.

The spatial distribution of an anticancer drug and its intended target within a tumor plays a major role on determining how effective the drug can be at tackling the tumor. This study provides data regarding the lateral distribution of sunitinib, an oral antiangiogenic receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor using an in vitro animal model as well as an in vitro experimental model that involved deposition of a solution of sunitinib onto tissue sections. All tumor sections were analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging and compared with subsequent histology staining.