Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS): An Emerging Tool in Radiopharmaceutical Science

Although radioactive experiments are necessary in radiopharmaceutical drug discovery and theranostic cancer research, they are expensive, require special facilities, and face certain restrictions. Thus, finding techniques not involving radioactivity is highly beneficial for minimizing these disadvantages in such research. In this regard, methods using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) have emerged as viable alternatives to traditional radioactive approaches. Despite its potential, practical applications of ICP-MS in radiopharmaceutical cancer research have only emerged in recent years. This Perspective focuses on the development and implementation of nonradioactive ICP-MS-based assays in radiopharmaceutical research and aims to inspire future research efforts in this area.