Immunoassays based on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection: So far so good, so what?

Abstract

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) has been traditionally employed in life sciences for total element content and speciation studies. Nonetheless, using element-tagged antibodies, ICP-MS also serves as a detector for immunoassays thus allowing the determination of organic molecules (i.e. proteins, biomarkers, toxins, etc.) and cells. When compared to conventional immunoassay detection approaches (e.g. fluorescence, UV/VIS absorbance, etc.), ICP-MS offers several unique and attractive features such as: (i) high sensitivity and selectivity; (ii) multiplexed capabilities; (iii) large dynamic range; and (iv) robustness for the analysis of both liquid and solid samples. However, despite the above-mentioned features, immunoassays based on ICP-MS detection are mostly unknown among scientists in life sciences and not real breakthrough has yet produced for routine clinical applications. This work reviews the most recent developments and applications of immunoassays based on ICP-MS detection over the last years, emphasising current challenges and future trends of this promising analytical tool.