polypharmacology
Polypharmacology is the study and practice of developing and using medicines that interact with multiple biological targets or pathways. Unlike traditional pharmacology, which often seeks highly selective, single-target agents, polypharmacology embraces the idea that modulation of several targets within a disease network can yield therapeutic benefits.
Rationale includes addressing complex, multifactorial diseases in which redundancy and feedback loops limit the efficacy of
Approaches include designing single molecules with affinity for several targets (multi-target drugs), repurposing approved drugs that
Challenges involve predicting which target combinations will yield benefit, balancing efficacy with safety, managing drug–drug interactions
Examples include imatinib, which inhibits BCR-ABL, PDGFR, and c-KIT; aspirin, which inhibits two isoforms of cyclooxygenase;