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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Amide Coupling Reaction for the Synthesis of Bispyridine-based Ligands and Their Complexation to Platinum as Dinuclear Anticancer Agents
Published on: May 28, 2014
Quantitative imaging of platinum-based antitumor complexes in bone tissue samples using LA-ICP-MS
Barbara Crone1, Lukas Schlatt1, Robin Abraham Nadar2
1University of Münster, Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry, Corrensstraße 30, 48149, Münster, Germany.
Abstract:
There is a need for effective medication against bone metastases because todays drugs are not able to penetrate the bone and reach the affected areas. To analyze if current or future platinum-containing drugs are able to achieve this, a quantitative imaging method is urgently needed. In this study, the platinum distribution in thin sections of mice tibia was determined using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) in a spatially resolved manner. The hard bone tissue visible in microscopic images and signals found for calcium and phosphorous recorded via LA-ICP-MS and micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μXRF) correlate well. Furthermore, the platinum concentration was quantified using polymer-based matrix-matched standards. A limit of detection of 6 μg/g and a linearity of almost three decades could be achieved. Concentrations surpassing 300 μg/g could be found in the tibia samples. The method presented herein is a powerful approach for the visualization and quantification of platinum. As such, this method is a valuable tool to unravel the mechanism of delivery and optimize the therapeutic potency of platinum-containing drugs targeting bone diseases like bone metastases.
Insights
A new imaging method effectively visualizes and quantifies platinum in bone. This technique aids in developing better platinum-based drugs for treating bone metastases.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Analytical Chemistry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Effective treatments for bone metastases are limited by poor drug penetration into bone tissue.
- Current platinum-based drugs struggle to reach and impact bone metastases effectively.
- A quantitative imaging method is crucial for assessing platinum drug delivery to bone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a spatially resolved quantitative imaging method for platinum distribution in bone.
- To assess the feasibility of using platinum-containing drugs for bone metastases treatment.
Main Methods:
- Laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used for platinum distribution analysis in mouse tibia sections.
- Micro X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (μXRF) was employed for elemental analysis.
- Polymer-based matrix-matched standards were utilized for platinum quantification.
Main Results:
- Strong correlation observed between bone tissue imaging and elemental signals (calcium, phosphorous) via LA-ICP-MS and μXRF.
- Achieved a limit of detection of 6 μg/g for platinum with linearity spanning nearly three decades.
- Quantified platinum concentrations exceeding 300 μg/g in tibia samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed LA-ICP-MS method provides powerful visualization and quantification of platinum in bone.
- This technique is valuable for understanding platinum drug delivery mechanisms.
- Optimizing platinum-containing drugs for bone diseases, such as bone metastases, is now more feasible.
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