CombiTool - A new computer program for analyzing combination experiments with biologically active agents

CombiTool is a new computer program for the analysis of combination effects of biologically active agents. It performs model calculations and an analy sis of experimental combination effects for two or three agents according t o both the Bliss independence and the Loewe additivity criteria. Zero inter action response surfaces are calculated from single-agent dose-response rel ations and compared to experimental combination data. The calculation of re sponse surfaces for Loewe additivity is based on a new approach which combi nes the implicit definition equation in terms of doses atone with single-ag ent dose-response relations. The simultaneous analysis of experimental data according to both Loewe additivity and Bliss independence within one progr am can hopefully contribute to a better understanding of the meaning and li mits of the two criteria. CombiTool has a built-in graphics facility which allows the direct visualization of the response surfaces or the correspondi ng contour plots and the experimental data. (C) 1999 Academic Press.