Despite the progress in medicine, cardiovascular drugs are mainly tested on male patients, neglecting sex-specific responses to treatment. This oversight underscores the need for inclusive and personalized healthcare.

Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is a severe heart condition affecting many adults, with sex-specific treatment responses. Researchers used AI to identify drug combinations that could slow AVS progression in male and female patients.

The study revealed female-biased drug combinations that were effective in female cells, while male-biased combinations showed better results in male cells. This research could lead to more personalized treatment strategies for AVS and other conditions.

Identifying Sex-Specific Drug Combinations

The team selected eight drug candidates targeting aortic valve myofibroblast activation pathways. They tested 59 drug combinations on male and female valvular interstitial cells (VICs) and identified the most effective sex-specific drug cocktails for both genders.

Implications for Treatment

These findings could accelerate the development of sex-specific drug combinations for AVS and highlight the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in treatment design. The team plans to expand this approach to address other diseases with sex-specific treatment responses.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the potential of AI-driven research in identifying personalized treatment strategies for heart diseases like AVS. By considering sex-specific responses, researchers can develop more effective and tailored therapies for patients.

Source: Technology Networks