CombiCTx: Screening diffusion gradients of anti-cancer drug combinations

The preprint operates within the dominant paradigm of in vitro cancer drug screening, specifically focusing on combination therapies. It adheres to the established methodology of evaluating drug efficacy and interactions, employing well-established techniques like microscopy and cell viability assays.

This preprint presents a refinement of existing drug screening technology and methodology. It adapts the previously established CombiANT assay, used for antibiotic testing, to the context of cancer drug research. The new CombiCTx assay offers a more nuanced approach to combination drug screening by incorporating dynamic drug diffusion gradients within a 3D hydrogel environment. While this represents an advancement in the tools and methods available for drug research, it does not challenge the foundational principles of the field. The preprint contributes to the ongoing ‘puzzle-solving’ activity within the normal science phase by providing a novel tool to assess drug interactions and responses in a more physiologically relevant setting, thus refining existing practices within the confines of the established paradigm. Therefore, it is classified as Normal Science.