Artificial intelligence in COVID-19 drug repurposing

Yadi Zhou, Fei Wang, Jian Tang, Ruth Nussinov, Feixiong Cheng*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

395 Scopus citations

Abstract

Drug repurposing or repositioning is a technique whereby existing drugs are used to treat emerging and challenging diseases, including COVID-19. Drug repurposing has become a promising approach because of the opportunity for reduced development timelines and overall costs. In the big data era, artificial intelligence (AI) and network medicine offer cutting-edge application of information science to defining disease, medicine, therapeutics, and identifying targets with the least error. In this Review, we introduce guidelines on how to use AI for accelerating drug repurposing or repositioning, for which AI approaches are not just formidable but are also necessary. We discuss how to use AI models in precision medicine, and as an example, how AI models can accelerate COVID-19 drug repurposing. Rapidly developing, powerful, and innovative AI and network medicine technologies can expedite therapeutic development. This Review provides a strong rationale for using AI-based assistive tools for drug repurposing medications for human disease, including during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)e667-e676
JournalThe Lancet Digital Health
Volume2
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2020

Funding

FundersFunder number
Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute
US National Science Foundation
US Office of Naval ResearchN00014-18-1-2585
National Science Foundation2027970, 1750326
National Institutes of Health3R01AG066707-01S1
National Institute on Aging
National Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteR00HL138272
Cleveland Clinic
Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer ResearchHHSN261200800001E

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