The identification and validation of novel drug–target combinations are key steps in the drug discovery
processes. Cancer is a complex disease that involves several genetic and environmental factors. High-throughput
omics technologies are now widely available, however the integration of multi-omics data to identify viable anticancer
drug-target combinations, that allow for a better clinical outcome when considering the efficacy-toxicity
spectrum, is challenging. This review article provides an overview of systems approaches which help to integrate
a broad spectrum of technologies and data. We focus on network approaches and investigate anticancer mechanism
and biological targets of resveratrol using reverse pharmacophore mapping as an in-depth case study. The
results of this case study demonstrate the use of systems approaches for a better understanding of the behavior of
small molecule inhibitors in receptor binding sites. The presented network analysis approach helps in formulating
hypotheses and provides mechanistic insights of resveratrol in neoplastic transformations.
Design, systems approaches, and the engineering-economics nexus
