Review of Machine Learning Technologies and Neural Networks in Drug Synergy Combination pharmacological research

Abstract

Introduction: Nowadays an increase in the amount of information creates the need to replace and update data process­ing technologies. One of the tasks of clinical pharmacology is to create the right combination of drugs for the treatment of a particular disease. It takes months and even years to create a treatment regimen. Using machine learning (in silico) allows predicting how to get the right combination of drugs and skip the experimental steps in a study that take a lot of time and financial expenses. Gradual preparation is needed for the Deep Learning of Drug Synergy, starting from creating a base of drugs, their characteristics and ways of interacting.

Aim: Our review aims to draw attention to the prospect of the introduction of Deep Learning technology to predict possible combinations of drugs for the treatment of various diseases.

Materials and methods: Literary review of articles based on the PUBMED project and related bibliographic resources over the past 5 years (2015–2019).

Results and discussion: In the analyzed articles, Machine or Deep Learning completed the assigned tasks. It was able to determine the most appropriate combinations for the treatment of certain diseases, select the necessary regimen and doses. In addition, using this technology, new combinations have been identified that may be further involved in preclinical studies.

Conclusions: From the analysis of the articles, we obtained evidence of the positive effects of Deep Learning to select “key” combinations for further stages of preclinical research.