Mechanisms of drug combinations: interaction and network perspectives

Jia Jia; Feng Zhu; Xiaohua Ma; Zhiwei Cao; Zhiwei W Cao; Yixue Li; Yixue X Li; Yu Zong Chen

doi:10.1038/nrd2683

Mechanisms of drug combinations: interaction and network perspectives

Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2009 Feb;8(2):111-28. doi: 10.1038/nrd2683.

Authors

Jia Jia¹, Feng Zhu, Xiaohua Ma, Zhiwei Cao, Zhiwei W Cao, Yixue Li, Yixue X Li, Yu Zong Chen

Affiliation

¹ Bioinformatics and Drug Design Group, Department of Pharmacy, Department of Biological Science, Center for Computational Science and Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117543.

PMID: 19180105
DOI: 10.1038/nrd2683

Abstract

Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying synergistic, potentiative and antagonistic effects of drug combinations could facilitate the discovery of novel efficacious combinations and multi-targeted agents. In this article, we describe an extensive investigation of the published literature on drug combinations for which the combination effect has been evaluated by rigorous analysis methods and for which relevant molecular interaction profiles of the drugs involved are available. Analysis of the 117 drug combinations identified reveals general and specific modes of action, and highlights the potential value of molecular interaction profiles in the discovery of novel multicomponent therapies.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Drug Antagonism*
Drug Synergism*
Drug Therapy, Combination*
Humans