Multiple hub targets

The term Multiple hub targets refers to a collection of highly connected proteins or genes within a biological network, typically identified through systems biology or network pharmacology analysis (Hopkins, 2008). In the context of protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, hub targets are nodes with a high degree of connectivity, suggesting they play central roles in maintaining the stability and functionality of biological pathways (Barabási & Oltvai, 2004). Researchers often identify multiple hub targets to understand the polypharmacological effects of a drug or to design multi-target therapies for complex diseases like cancer, where single-target inhibition is often bypassed by compensatory mechanisms (Zhang et al., 2019). Because this is a methodological classification rather than a specific biological molecule, it does not possess a unique molecular structure, specific enzymatic activity, or a dedicated set of interacting drugs. Consequently, the term is considered an incorrect or non-specific target designation for drug development purposes, as it lacks the precision required to define a single therapeutic mechanism (Goh et al., 2007).

Other names

Hub genesNetwork hubsKey nodesCentral targetsIntra-modular hubs

Not applicable as this term refers to a network pharmacology concept rather than a specific molecular entity.