General cellular macromolecules

The term "General cellular macromolecules" refers to the four primary classes of large biological molecules—proteins, nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), carbohydrates, and lipids—that constitute the essential structural and functional components of all living cells [1]. While modern drug discovery typically focuses on high-specificity interactions with individual proteins, several established therapeutic classes exert their effects by non-specifically targeting these broad groups of macromolecules [2]. For example, alkylating agents such as cyclophosphamide and cisplatin function by forming covalent adducts with DNA, thereby inhibiting replication and inducing apoptosis in rapidly dividing cancer cells [3]. Other agents, including certain general anesthetics and antiseptics, may act by partitioning into lipid bilayers or causing the non-selective denaturation of cellular proteins [4]. Because these targets are ubiquitous throughout the body, drugs directed at general macromolecules often possess a narrow therapeutic window and are associated with significant safety concerns, such as systemic toxicity, mutagenicity, and the potential for secondary malignancies [5]. Consequently, this designation is frequently used in toxicology and traditional chemotherapy to describe multi-target or non-selective molecular damage [6].

Other names

Cellular macromoleculesBiological macromoleculesBiomolecules

Non-specific covalent modification (alkylation), cross-linking of nucleic acids or proteins, and physical disruption of lipid membranes [2, 3, 4].