Multiple pathways and enzymes

The term "Multiple pathways and enzymes" does not refer to a specific, individual biological molecule but is a collective descriptor for therapeutic agents that exert their effects through a broad range of biological targets (Hopkins, 2008, Nature Chemical Biology). This classification is frequently used in pharmacological databases like ChEMBL to categorize drugs with complex, multi-target profiles or those whose primary mechanism involves the simultaneous modulation of various metabolic and signaling networks (Gaulton et al., 2012, Nucleic Acids Research). In the context of drug development, this often relates to the concept of polypharmacology, where a single compound is designed to interact with multiple receptors, enzymes, or transporters to achieve a desired clinical outcome (Guillaume et al., 2014, PubMed). Such an approach is particularly relevant in treating multifactorial diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, where targeting a single protein may be insufficient to halt disease progression (Knight et al., 2010, Nature Reviews Cancer). However, because this designation lacks a specific molecular structure or a single gene product, it does not possess a defined biological function or a singular role in disease pathology. Drugs associated with this category, such as certain multi-kinase inhibitors, provide therapeutic benefits by disrupting several nodes within a pathological network simultaneously. The lack of specificity inherent in this classification also presents challenges in predicting safety profiles, as interactions with unintended pathways can lead to diverse off-target toxicities (Bowes et al., 2012, Nature Reviews Drug Discovery). Consequently, "Multiple pathways and enzymes" is considered a non-canonical target entry that encompasses a wide variety of distinct biochemical interactions rather than a single therapeutic entity.

Other names

Multi-targetPolypharmacologyNon-specific targetsNetwork pharmacology

Simultaneous modulation of multiple distinct enzymes, receptors, and signaling pathways to achieve a therapeutic effect.