Off-target

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Off-target refers to the unintended effects of a drug or therapy, particularly in the field of genomics and pharmacology. These effects can occur when a drug interacts with unintended biological targets, leading to undesired side effects. Off-target effects are a significant concern in drug development and can lead to the failure of clinical trials.

Causes[edit | edit source]

Off-target effects can be caused by a variety of factors. One common cause is the structural similarity between the intended target and other proteins or molecules in the body. This can lead to the drug binding to these unintended targets, causing off-target effects. Other causes can include the drug's pharmacokinetics, such as its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).

Detection[edit | edit source]

Detecting off-target effects is a crucial part of drug development. Various methods can be used, including bioinformatics tools, genomic assays, and proteomic assays. These methods can help identify potential off-target interactions and assess their likely impact.

Mitigation[edit | edit source]

Mitigating off-target effects is a key goal in drug development. This can be achieved through various strategies, such as optimizing the drug's structure to increase its specificity for its intended target, adjusting the drug's dosage or administration route, or developing strategies to block the drug's interaction with off-targets.

See also[edit | edit source]

Off-target Resources
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