Cited by 116Computational Drug Discovery MethodsMachine Learning in Materials ScienceMachine Learning in Bioinformatics

Predicting With Confidence: Using Conformal Prediction in Drug Discovery

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Alvarsson, Jonathan, Arvidsson McShane, Staffan, Norinder, Ulf, Spjuth, Ola·2021·Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

Abstract

One of the challenges with predictive modeling is how to quantify the reliability of the models' predictions on new objects. In this work we give an introduction to conformal prediction, a framework that sits on top of traditional machine learning algorithms and which outputs valid confidence estimates to predictions from QSAR models in the form of prediction intervals that are specific to each predicted object. For regression, a prediction interval consists of an upper and a lower bound. For classification, a prediction interval is a set that contains none, one, or many of the potential classes. The size of the prediction interval is affected by a user-specified confidence/significance level, and by the nonconformity of the predicted object; i.e., the strangeness as defined by a nonconformity function. Conformal prediction provides a rigorous and mathematically proven framework for in silico modeling with guarantees on error rates as well as a consistent handling of the models' applicability domain intrinsically linked to the underlying machine learning model. Apart from introducing the concepts and types of conformal prediction, we also provide an example application for modeling ABC transporters using conformal prediction, as well as a discussion on general implications for drug discovery.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Kubinyi H. QSAR: Hansch Analysis and Related Approaches. vol. 1. VcH; 1993.
  2. Huang S-M, Lertora JJ, Markey SP, Atkinson Jr AJ. Principles of Clinical Phar- macology. Academic Press; 2012.

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Authors
Alvarsson, J., Arvidsson McShane, S., Norinder, U., & Spjuth, O.
Affiliations
Uppsala University (SE)
Corresponding author
Spjuth, Ola
Venue
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-01
Volume
110
Issue
1
Pages
42-49
ISSN
0022-3549 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3093152954
Cited by
116
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 16 · 2025: 30 · 2024: 24 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 15
FWCI
5.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • KTH Publication Database DiVA (KTH Royal Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Funders
  • Svenska Forskningsrådet Formas (2018-00924)
  • Stiftelsen för Strategisk Forskning (BD15-0008SB16-0046)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Computational Theory and Mathematics › Computational Drug Discovery Methods
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Materials Chemistry › Machine Learning in Materials Science
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Machine Learning in Bioinformatics
Keywords
conformal prediction, prediction intervals, QSAR, confidence estimation, applicability domain, ABC transporters, drug discovery, in silico modeling, forecast uncertainty
MeSH terms
Machine Learning, Algorithms, Molecular Conformation, Reproducibility of Results, Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship, Drug Discovery

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