Network-based therapeutic approach for brain ischemia: A broad therapy for a specific patient

Despite years of efforts, translational stroke research has yield to no neuroprotective therapy. Moreover, only single-drug targets remain hitherto being pursued whilst we know that complex diseases are defined by multitarget modules which should be tackled simultaneously. Therefore, we here propose a network-based approach for multi-target identification based on human disease genes linked to ischemic stroke, in combination with a network pharmacology, drug repurposing therapeutic approach. Indeed, network pharmacology exploits this concept by simultaneously targeting several components of an impaired signalling pathway, using mechanistically related and thus synergistic drugs with a maximal therapeutic effect. However, it remains evident that not all stroke patients suffer from the same dysregulated mechanisms upon stroke. Then, we propose to combine a network pharmacology therapeutic approach with diagnostic endothenotyping of patients who could maximally benefit from our proposed therapy; thus ensuring a personalised, mechanism-based, synergistic therapy with a quick access to the pharmaceutic market.