İzmir Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi

Öz

Until now, a large number of various methods have been developed for the analysis of drug combinations. Among these methods, combination index theory of Chou-Talalay has gained increasing popularity and endured widespread acceptance. The Chou-Talalay method is based on the combination effect equation derived from the median-effect principle of the mass-action law. It provides quantitative analysis of drug interactions, and the algorithm for computer software for the simulation of drug combinations. It takes into account both the potency and the shape of the dose-effect curve of each drug alone and their combinations. Computer simulation using CompuSyn software displays the dose-effect curve, median-effect plot, combination index plot, isobologram, dose-reduction index plot, and polygonogram for in vitro or in vivo studies. In this review, we aimed to provides a theoretical and practical guide for drug combination studies and delineates its essence in terms of the mass-action law based theory, experimental design and data analysis. Median-effect equation of Chou-Talalay is a useful and practical method for the quantitative analysis of drug combinations. The median-effect equation allows the use of few experimental data in vitro, in vivo, and in clinics. The algorithms of the median-effect equation enable efficient, low-cost study, drug discovery, and ethical planning in clinical research, as they provide less experimental data requirements for small-scale experiments and quantitative implications for the analysis of drug combinations. The method is the most widely used in the analysis of drug combinations and has received numerous citations. We believe that this study will constitute an important reference for the analysis of drug combinations.