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Off-Target Binding

Meaning

Off-Target Binding is a pharmacological phenomenon where a therapeutic agent or an endogenous hormone interacts with a biological receptor or enzyme other than its intended primary target, potentially leading to unintended or adverse physiological effects. This lack of absolute specificity can trigger signaling cascades in non-target cells or systems, resulting in side effects that compromise the overall safety and efficacy profile of a compound. In hormonal health, this is a major consideration for hormone replacement therapies, where non-selective binding can lead to undesirable hormonal cross-talk.