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Updated: May 5, 2026
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Quantitative Mass Spectrometric Profiling of Cancer-cell Proteomes Derived From Liquid and Solid Tumors
Published on: February 27, 2015
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Intraoperative Mass Spectrometry in Oncology: Technologies, Clinical Applications, and Challenges
Robert Onulov1, Marius Georgescu2,3, Corina Flangea4,5
1Doctoral School, Victor Babeş University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 4, 2026
Summary
Intraoperative mass spectrometry (MS) offers rapid, label-free molecular profiling for real-time tumor characterization during surgery. This technology shows promise in improving cancer surgery outcomes by enhancing margin assessment and surgical guidance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Analytical Chemistry
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Surgical precision is paramount in oncology for complete tumor removal and improved patient outcomes.
- Traditional intraoperative diagnostics like frozen-section analysis have limitations in speed, sampling, and interpretation.
- Intraoperative mass spectrometry (MS) provides rapid, label-free molecular profiling for real-time surgical specimen analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current intraoperative mass spectrometry technologies for cancer surgery.
- To summarize clinical applications, benefits, and limitations of intraoperative MS in oncology.
- To discuss future perspectives and potential enhancements for intraoperative MS in surgical oncology.
Main Methods:
- Review of emerging intraoperative mass spectrometry technologies (REIMS, DESI-MS, MALDI-MS, PIRL-MS, MasSpec Pen).
- Analysis of published applications across various cancer types (brain, breast, gastrointestinal, urogenital).
- Evaluation of technical and translational challenges and potential integration with AI and multi-omics.
Main Results:
- Intraoperative MS technologies enable real-time tumor characterization and surgical guidance.
- Demonstrated applications in improving margin assessment and tumor classification for multiple cancer types.
- Identified challenges include cost, standardization, and need for validation, with AI integration showing promise.
Conclusions:
- Intraoperative MS is a transformative technology with significant potential to enhance surgical oncology.
- Further development, standardization, and validation are necessary for widespread clinical adoption.
- Integration with AI and multi-omics may unlock broader clinical utility and reshape surgical practices.
Keywords:
CUSA/SSI-MSDESI-MSMasSpec PenPIRL-MSREIMS/iKnifeSpiderMassintraoperative mass spectrometryreal-time molecular diagnosticsMore Related Videos
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