Multiple diverse molecular targets

The term Multiple diverse molecular targets does not refer to a single, specific biological molecule but is a categorical designation for drugs that exhibit polypharmacology by interacting with a wide array of distinct receptors, enzymes, or transporters (Hopkins, 2008). This multi-target approach is frequently employed in the treatment of complex diseases, such as central nervous system disorders and oncology, where the modulation of a single pathway is often insufficient to achieve a therapeutic effect (Ramsay et al., 2018). While intentional multi-targeting can improve efficacy and reduce the likelihood of drug resistance, it also presents significant challenges in drug design, particularly regarding the maintenance of an acceptable safety profile and the avoidance of unwanted off-target effects (Anighoro et al., 2014). Because this entry lacks a unique molecular structure, sequence, or defined physiological role, it is considered an incorrect or non-canonical entry in the context of specific therapeutic target identification. As such, it represents a pharmacological strategy or a description of drug promiscuity rather than a discrete molecular entity.

Other names

PolypharmacologyMulti-target drugsPromiscuous targetsNon-specific molecular targets

Simultaneous modulation of multiple unrelated biological pathways or molecular entities.