Multiple macromolecules

The term 'Multiple macromolecules' is a generic classification used in pharmacological databases, such as ChEMBL, to describe instances where a compound's activity is associated with more than one distinct biological entity (Gaulton et al., 2012). It does not refer to a single, specific protein, enzyme, or receptor, but rather serves as a placeholder for complex multi-target interactions or polypharmacology (Hopkins, 2008). Because it encompasses a broad range of biological entities, it cannot be assigned specific biological functions or disease roles in isolation. In drug development, multi-target drugs are often designed to hit multiple macromolecules to improve efficacy or overcome resistance, particularly in complex diseases like cancer (Knight et al., 2010). However, for the purposes of structured target identification, this term is considered too broad and lacks the specificity required for a canonical therapeutic target. This classification is typically employed when the exact molecular targets are either unknown, not yet characterized, or too numerous to list individually within a specific experimental or clinical context.

Not applicable