Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (642 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
The use of drugs to treat a disease or its symptoms. One example is the use of antineoplastic agents to treat cancer.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Chemotherapy; Chemotherapies; Pharmacotherapy; Pharmacotherapies; Therapy, Drug; Drug Therapies; Therapies, Drug.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Therapeutics
- Narrower topics
- Antineoplastic Protocols; Chelation Therapy; Chemoprevention; Chemoradiotherapy; Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; Consolidation Chemotherapy; COVID-19 Drug Treatment; Deprescriptions; Drug Administration Routes; Drug Administration Schedule; Drug Delivery Systems; Drug Dosage Calculations; Drug Prescriptions; Drug Tapering
- See also
- Medication Errors; Pharmacologic Actions
Related concepts
- Pharmaceutical Preparations
- Disease
- Antineoplastic Agents
- Neoplasms
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 1,622,759 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Drug Therapy” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 276,100 of them (17.0%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is 2010-2019 with 491,494 records.
Reviews account for 238,551 records (14.7%) and meta-analyses for 20,038. Randomized controlled trials number 145,287 (9.0%) as a share of all records on the topic. Randomized trials make up a comparatively large share of this literature, which means many treatment questions have been tested directly.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 490,602 |
| 2000-2009 | 364,563 |
| 2010-2019 | 491,494 |
| 2020 onward | 276,100 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 238,551 | 14.7% |
| Meta-analyses | 20,038 | 1.2% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 145,287 | 9.0% |
Method: PubMed query "Drug Therapy"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in pharmacology
Drug evidence builds in layers: laboratory pharmacology describes how a compound acts, pharmacokinetic studies describe how the body handles it, and randomized trials test whether it helps and what harms it causes. Post-marketing surveillance and observational studies reveal rarer adverse effects but cannot prove causation. This page is educational and is not a recommendation to start, stop or change any medicine; decisions about treatment belong with a qualified clinician.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albumin-binding dendrimer-conjugated siRNA enables safe and effective gene silencing throughout the central nervous system | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 1 | cc by PMID 42813369 · DOI · PMC13624663 |
| GMMA as adjuvant and carrier for mucosal delivery of group A streptococcus glycoconjugate vaccine | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42895442 · DOI · PMC13682404 |
| What should be updated in the WHO guide to good prescribing? | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 0 | cc by PMID 42873273 · DOI · PMC13668889 |
Albumin-binding dendrimer-conjugated siRNA enables safe and effective gene silencing throughout the central nervous system [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Improving siRNA delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) is a major focus for treating the numerous debilitating neurological conditions that have a genetic basis.
- Closing excerpt
- These findings support the use of albumin-binding conjugates for brain delivery, and position D-siRNA as a safe, effective, and durable platform for gene silencing in the CNS.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (158 words)
Improving siRNA delivery to the central nervous system (CNS) is a major focus for treating the numerous debilitating neurological conditions that have a genetic basis. Here, we present an albumin-binding siRNA based on an amphiphilic dendrimer conjugate (D-siRNA). We demonstrate that D-siRNA achieves effective and homogeneous delivery throughout the CNS following administration into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In mice, a single CSF administration of D-siRNA resulted in potent and durable gene silencing across various brain regions, with effects lasting 6 months without detectable toxicity. We validate its utility in larger rodents (rats) using intrathecal administration-a clinically relevant route-showing effective and broad delivery and robust silencing. Benchmarking against other clinically relevant siRNA delivery scaffolds revealed that D-siRNA provides comparable delivery and efficacy, with more efficient conversion of gross uptake to functional uptake. These findings support the use of albumin-binding conjugates for brain delivery, and position D-siRNA as a safe, effective, and durable platform for gene silencing in the CNS.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42813369 · DOI · PMC13624663
GMMA as adjuvant and carrier for mucosal delivery of group A streptococcus glycoconjugate vaccine [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection is usually initiated by colonization of mucosal sites such as the pharynx, followed by invasion and systemic dissemination.
- Closing excerpt
- We demonstrated that GMMA could work both as a carrier and adjuvant for the mucosal delivery of GAC and mediates induction of both systemic and mucosal immune responses against GAS.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (246 words)
Group A streptococcus (GAS) infection is usually initiated by colonization of mucosal sites such as the pharynx, followed by invasion and systemic dissemination. Development of a vaccine that can prevent colonization is enticing as it would prevent subsequent infections and all associated autoimmune sequalae such as rheumatic heart disease (RHD). In this study we investigated the mucosal adjuvanticity of GMMA when used as a carrier protein for GAS carbohydrate (GAC) conjugate vaccine (GAC-GMMA). Mice were immunized sublingually or intranasally with GAC-GMMA or GAC-CRM197, in the presence or absence of cholera toxin B subunit (CTB). The anti-GAC systemic and mucosal immune responses were evaluated and compared. Our results showed that, in addition to being a good carrier, GMMA is also a good mucosal adjuvant and mediated the induction of substantial levels of serum IgG median titer: 1,050-3,200) and of mucosal IgA (512-2,560) in the mouth, (640) in the nose, (768-1,024) in the intestines and (1,024-1,280) in the vagina. The induced response was similar or better than the response induced by the GAC-CRM197 conjugate administered in combination with the mucosal adjuvant CTB. Furthermore, mucosal delivery of GAC-GMMA and GAC-CRM197 induced IL-17 and IFNγ secretion by immune spleen cells, which are known to mediate neutrophils recruitment and nitric oxide production by macrophages necessary for controlling infections at mucosal surfaces. We demonstrated that GMMA could work both as a carrier and adjuvant for the mucosal delivery of GAC and mediates induction of both systemic and mucosal immune responses against GAS.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42895442 · DOI · PMC13682404
What should be updated in the WHO guide to good prescribing? [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- PurposeOver 30 years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the Guide to Good Prescribing (GGP) with its accompanying six-step model for rational prescribing.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionSuggestions for revising the WHO GGP included integrating contemporary and societal prescribing considerations to enhance its relevance, educational impact and usability, thereby supporting safe and effective prescribing in modern clinical practice.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (238 words)
PurposeOver 30 years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) published the Guide to Good Prescribing (GGP) with its accompanying six-step model for rational prescribing. While widely used and proven effective in teaching clinical pharmacology and therapeutics (CPT), the GGP has never been revised to reflect scientific, societal, technological, and educational developments. The aim of this study was to explore which elements could be revised to actualize its content.MethodsCPT teachers experienced with the GGP were recruited from all six WHO regions. Six online nominal group technique sessions were conducted to elicit and prioritize ideas for revising the GGP. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using an inductive thematic approach to capture participants' views on both content and optimal format of the renewed GGP.ResultsTwenty-six participants shared136 ideas for the revision, grouped into three main areas: ideas about the usability, accessibility, and awareness of the GGP; ideas about the six-step framework; and ideas about background information or supplementary chapters. Suggestions for improving usability emphasized an interactive, digital platform for accessibility, continuous updates, and integrated resources. Regarding the six-step model, participants recommended retaining its structure while incorporating key considerations such as pharmacovigilance, shared decision-making, and deprescribing. Lastly, participants proposed supplementary information on topics such as therapeutic reasoning and special patient populations.ConclusionSuggestions for revising the WHO GGP included integrating contemporary and societal prescribing considerations to enhance its relevance, educational impact and usability, thereby supporting safe and effective prescribing in modern clinical practice.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 42873273 · DOI · PMC13668889
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Procedural Interventions for Reducing Distress During Vaccine Injections [4]
- Research article Automated Insulin Delivery Systems in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [5]
- Research article Relationship between menopausal hormone therapy and incidence risk of breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis [6]
- Research article Effectiveness and safety of therapies for patients with opioid use disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis [7]
- Research article A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Psychological Interventions for Reducing Distress During Vaccine Injections [8]
- Research article Survival impact of anti-CD38-based quadruplet regimens in transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a network meta-analysis and reconstructed individual patient data meta-analysis [9]
References
- Fakih HH, Ohara M, Summers A, Sarli SL, Kelly K, Gagnon R, et al.. Albumin-binding dendrimer-conjugated siRNA enables safe and effective gene silencing throughout the central nervous system. . 2026. PMID 42813369 · DOI · PMC13624663
- Ozanne J, Saydam M, Palmieri E, Di Benedetto R, Aktar A, Carducci M, et al.. GMMA as adjuvant and carrier for mucosal delivery of group A streptococcus glycoconjugate vaccine. . 2026. PMID 42895442 · DOI · PMC13682404
- Hartjes MG, Hendriksen FMW, Bakkum MJ, Cazaubon Y, Donker EM, van Leeuwen E, et al.. What should be updated in the WHO guide to good prescribing?. . 2026. PMID 42873273 · DOI · PMC13668889
- Taddio A, Shah V, McMurtry CM, Lang E, MacDonald NE, Constantin K, et al.. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Effectiveness of Procedural Interventions for Reducing Distress During Vaccine Injections. Clin J Pain. 2026. PMID 41880242 · DOI · PMC13354264
- Hespanhol LC, Agarwal S, Carvalhal G, de Mendonça Bisneto OI, Chagas GCL, Galindo RJ, et al.. Automated Insulin Delivery Systems in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Diabetes Care. 2026. PMID 41940799 · DOI
- Wu Q, Shen L, Hu S, Yang R, Wang Y, Xue D, et al.. Relationship between menopausal hormone therapy and incidence risk of breast cancer: systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Med. 2026. PMID 41808362 · DOI · PMC12981265
- Kabra M, Srivastava T, Gautam R, Singh J, Oksanen J, MacDonald T, et al.. Effectiveness and safety of therapies for patients with opioid use disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Comp Eff Res. 2026. PMID 41521864 · DOI · PMC12884343
- McMurtry CM, Taddio A, Shah V, Lang E, MacDonald NE, Constantin K, et al.. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Psychological Interventions for Reducing Distress During Vaccine Injections. Clin J Pain. 2026. PMID 41880234 · DOI · PMC13354266
- Souto Filho JTD, Cantadori LO, Crusoe EQ, Hungria V, Maiolino A. Survival impact of anti-CD38-based quadruplet regimens in transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a network meta-analysis and reconstructed individual patient data meta-analysis. Blood Cancer J. 2025. PMID 41353340 · DOI · PMC12681503
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.