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Off-Target Effects

Meaning

Off-target effects refer to the unintended biological consequences that occur when a therapeutic agent, such as a drug or a peptide, interacts with a molecule or pathway other than its intended primary target. These effects are typically undesirable, contributing to adverse reactions or side effects observed in clinical practice. Minimizing off-target interactions is a critical objective in the rational design of high-specificity pharmacological agents to improve their therapeutic index.