Selectivity

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Selectivity

Selectivity (/sɪˌlɛkˈtɪvɪti/) is a term used in various fields of medicine to describe the ability of a drug or treatment to affect specific targets or pathways while leaving others unaffected.

Etymology

The term "selectivity" is derived from the Latin word "selectus", which means "to choose". In the context of medicine, it refers to the ability to choose or target specific cells, tissues, or pathways in the body.

In Pharmacology

In pharmacology, selectivity refers to the ability of a drug to bind to its target, such as a receptor or enzyme, with higher affinity than to other non-target entities. This is a crucial property for the development of effective and safe drugs. For example, a cardioselective beta-blocker is a drug that selectively blocks beta-1 adrenergic receptors in the heart, while sparing beta-2 receptors in the lungs and other tissues.

In Medical Imaging

In medical imaging, selectivity refers to the ability of an imaging technique to differentiate between different types of tissues or abnormalities. For example, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has high selectivity for soft tissues, while computed tomography (CT) is more selective for bone and other dense structures.

In Surgery

In surgery, selectivity refers to the surgeon's ability to target specific tissues or structures while avoiding damage to surrounding tissues. This is particularly important in minimally invasive surgery, where precision and selectivity are key to reducing patient recovery time and improving outcomes.

Related Terms

  • Specificity: In medicine, specificity refers to the ability of a test to correctly identify those without the disease (true negative rate). In pharmacology, it refers to the ability of a drug to affect a single type of cell, receptor, or tissue.
  • Affinity: In pharmacology, affinity refers to the strength of attraction between a drug and its receptor.
  • Potency: In pharmacology, potency refers to the amount of a drug needed to produce a certain effect.

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