3 Pharmacodynamics Non Receptor Drug Targets

NON-RECEPTOR-MEDIATED DRUG ACTION

This refers to drugs which do not act by binding to specific regulatory macromolecules. Drug action by purely physical or chemical means, interactions with small molecules or ions (antacids, chelating agents, cholestyramine, etc.), as well as direct interaction with enzymes, ionic channels and transporters has already been described. In addition, there are drugs like alkylating agents which react covalently with several critical biomolecules, especially nucleic acids, and have cytotoxic property useful in the treatment of cancer. Another important class of drugs are the antimetabolites (purine/pyrimidine analogues) which lead to production of nonfunctional or dysfunctional cellular components that exert antineoplastic, antiviral and immunosuppressant activity.