The Use of Different Types of Networks, Alone and in Combination, for
Drug Target Identification
Abstract
Current therapeutic approaches often focus on targeting clinical
symptoms or peripheral phenotypes rather than the underlying molecular
mechanisms, or endophenotypes, that drive diseases. While symptom-based
drugs can alleviate discomfort, they do not necessarily alter disease
progression and may overlook opportunities for prevention or early
intervention in asymptomatic patients. This approach can lead to
overtreatment of certain disease traits while neglecting others that are
critical for long-term outcomes. In contrast, mechanism-based therapies
offer advantages such as specificity and reduced side effects, allowing
for the management of previously untreatable conditions or complementing
established treatments. These therapies enable monitoring of drugs'
effects on the endophenotype driving the disease, facilitating
personalized treatment regimens and improving patient compliance.
Mechanism-based drugs are essential for precision prevention and
therapy. Network Medicine plays a vital role in understanding diseases
by identifying key endophenotypes and determinants influencing disease
expression. Unlike reductionist methods, it provides insights into
disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets by examining
interactions among genetic, molecular, and environmental factors. As
part of Network Medicine, Network Pharmacology bridges the gap between
symptom-based and mechanism-based strategies, guiding drug development
while considering symptomatic relief. This short review focus on
creating heterogeneous networks to integrate various drug, target, and
disease-related information. These approaches can create comprehensive
representations of drugs and targets by incorporating diverse profiles,
enhancing the prediction performance of drug-target interactions.13 Nov 2024Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology 13 Nov 2024Submission Checks Completed
13 Nov 2024Assigned to Editor
15 Nov 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
09 Dec 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
10 Dec 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor