Human host molecular targets

Human host molecular targets refer to the endogenous proteins and cellular pathways within a human host that are exploited by pathogens or involved in the progression of diseases such as cancer and autoimmunity. In the context of infectious diseases, these targets include cell surface receptors required for viral entry, such as ACE2 for SARS-CoV-2 or CCR5 for HIV, as well as intracellular machinery necessary for replication (PMID: 32555358). Host-directed therapies (HDTs) focus on modulating these human components to inhibit infection or regulate the host's immune response, offering a high genetic barrier to pathogen resistance (PMID: 29155408). This approach is also central to oncology, where host targets in the tumor microenvironment are manipulated to enhance anti-tumor immunity. However, because these targets perform vital physiological functions, a primary challenge in drug development is achieving therapeutic efficacy without inducing significant systemic toxicity or disrupting homeostatic processes. Consequently, identifying specific host factors that are non-essential for the host but critical for the pathogen remains a key area of research (Source: Nature Reviews Drug Discovery).

Other names

Host factorsHuman host proteinsHost cell targetsHost-directed therapy targets

Host-directed therapies modulate endogenous human proteins to interfere with pathogen life cycles, enhance host defense mechanisms, or regulate pathological immune responses to infection and disease.