The Use of Mass Spectrometry in Preclinical and Clinical Studies in Oncology: a Mini Review

In cancer research, the ultimate goal of both preclinical and clinical studies is to develop new therapies and improve existing treatment strategies. Mass spectrometry (MS) is extensively utilized in clinical oncology for the structural analysis of proteins, peptides, and other biomolecules, aiding studies on drug resistance, treatment response, personalized therapy, and therapeutic drug monitoring. MS is an indispensable tool in oncology, crucial for biomarker discovery and targeted therapy development. It is also a rapid and reliable method for analyzing protein structures, elucidating metabolic pathways, and investigating cancer mechanisms. In addition, MS techniques are considered the gold standard for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of oncometabolites and oncoproteins. As technologies advance, MS instruments are becoming faster and more sensitive for molecular characterization. This mini-review aims to provide an overview of how MS is used in preclinical and clinical oncology studies over the past decade.