Integrating network pharmacology: The next-generation approach in ocular drug discovery

Francesca Lazzara; Federica Conti; Erika Giuffrida; Chiara Maria Eandi; Filippo Drago; Chiara Bianca Maria Platania; Claudio Bucolo

doi:10.1016/j.coph.2023.102425

Integrating network pharmacology: The next-generation approach in ocular drug discovery

Curr Opin Pharmacol. 2024 Feb:74:102425. doi: 10.1016/j.coph.2023.102425. Epub 2024 Jan 5.

Authors

Francesca Lazzara¹, Federica Conti¹, Erika Giuffrida¹, Chiara Maria Eandi², Filippo Drago³, Chiara Bianca Maria Platania⁴, Claudio Bucolo³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
² Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Fondation Asile des Aveugles, Jules Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Surgical Science, University of Torino, Torino, Italy.
³ Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
⁴ Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy; Center for Research in Ocular Pharmacology-CERFO, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. Electronic address: chiara.platania@unict.it.

PMID: 38183849
DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2023.102425

Abstract

With the spread of the "omics" sciences, the approaches of systems biology can be considered as new paradigms of pharmacological research for discovery of novel targets and/or treatments for complex multifactorial diseases. Data from omics sciences can be used for the design of biologic networks, that in turn can be quantitatively analyzed to identify new pharmacological targets. In this review, we will introduce the concept of network pharmacology, particularly the application of this innovative approach in the field of ocular pharmacology, with a focus on retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and glaucoma.

Keywords: Age-related macular degeneration; Diabetic retinopathy; Glaucoma; Network pharmacology; Pharmacological targets; Systems biology.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Diabetic Retinopathy* / drug therapy
Drug Discovery
Eye
Humans
Network Pharmacology
Retinal Diseases*