Identification of drug combinations on the basis of machine learning to maximize anti-aging effects

PLoS One. 2021 Jan 28;16(1):e0246106. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0246106. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Aging is a multifactorial process that involves numerous genetic changes, so identifying anti-aging agents is quite challenging. Age-associated genetic factors must be better understood to search appropriately for anti-aging agents. We utilized an aging-related gene expression pattern-trained machine learning system that can implement reversible changes in aging by linking combinatory drugs. In silico gene expression pattern-based drug repositioning strategies, such as connectivity map, have been developed as a method for unique drug discovery. However, these strategies have limitations such as lists that differ for input and drug-inducing genes or constraints to compare experimental cell lines to target diseases. To address this issue and improve the prediction success rate, we modified the original version of expression profiles with a stepwise-filtered method. We utilized a machine learning system called deep-neural network (DNN). Here we report that combinational drug pairs using differential expressed genes (DEG) had a more enhanced anti-aging effect compared with single independent treatments on leukemia cells. This study shows potential drug combinations to retard the effects of aging with higher efficacy using innovative machine learning techniques.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / pharmacology*
  • Gene Expression Profiling*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic*
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / drug therapy
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / metabolism
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute* / pathology
  • Machine Learning*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis*

Grants and funding

This research was supported by a grant from the National R&D Program for Cancer Control, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea to YRK and JWC (HA17C0039), and the Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2017R1A5A2014768) funded by the Ministry of Education, Republic of Korea (2017R1C1B5017615). Oncocross Ltd. provided support for this study in the form of salaries for MHK, HJC, GYY, and YRK. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the ‘author contributions’ section. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.