Using Tumor Explants for Imaging Mass Spectrometry Visualization of Unlabeled Peptides and Small Molecules

Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) imaging mass spectrometry has emerged as a powerful, label-free technique to visualize penetration of small molecules in vivo and in vitro, including in 3D cell culture spheroids; however, some spheroids do not grow sufficiently large to provide enough area for imaging mass spectrometry. Here, we describe an ex vivo method for visualizing unlabeled peptides and small molecules in tumor explants, which can be divided into pieces of desired size, thus circumventing the size limitations of many spheroids. As proof-of-concept, a small molecule drug (4-hydroxytamoxifen), as well as a peptide drug (cyclosporin A) and peptide chemical probe, can be visualized after in vitro incubation with tumor explants so that this technique may provide a solution to robing cell penetration by unlabeled peptides.