Célspecifikus

Célspecifikus is a Hungarian term used in biology and medicine to describe properties, actions, or strategies that are restricted to a particular cell type or cellular target. The term is formed from "cél" meaning goal or target and "specifikus" meaning specific. In scientific use, célspecifikus refers to interventions that confer selectivity towards a defined cell population and minimize effects on non-target cells.

In pharmacology and therapeutics, célspecifikus therapies aim to improve efficacy and safety by focusing on the intended cells. Examples include targeted therapies such as monoclonal antibodies that bind a cell-surface marker, antibody-drug conjugates, and ligand-directed nanoparticles. In genetic engineering and molecular biology, célspecifikus gene expression is achieved with cell-type-specific promoters that drive transgene expression only in certain cells.

Mechanisms to achieve cell specificity include cell-surface marker recognition, receptor-ligand interactions, tissue- or cell-type-specific promoters, and targeted delivery systems. In oncology, for instance, therapies may target receptors overexpressed on tumor cells (e.g., HER2) to spare normal tissues. In neuroscience, promoters selective for neurons or glial cells enable selective expression of transgenes.

Limitations and challenges include heterogeneity within target tissues, off-target binding, and changing marker expression; immune responses against therapeutic components; and difficulty in translating specificity from model systems to humans. Ongoing research seeks to improve selectivity, reduce adverse effects, and expand the range of targetable cell types.