In situ proteomic analysis of preneoplastic lesions in targeted mouse models of pancreatic cancer using MALDI imaging mass spectrometry

Introduction: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a fatal disease due to the late detection of locally advanced or metastatic tumors requiring advanced screening tools for earlier detection of preinvasive stages. Genetically engineered mouse models for PDAC develop preneoplastic pancreatic lesions and invasive carcinoma resembling the human disease. These models allow analysis of defined precursor lesions for novel diagnostic approaches. Here we used matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) to analyze the peptide/protein-expression pattern of precursor lesions in…