DeCure's autonomous Cancer AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for ameloblastoma — screening already-approved drugs against its 16-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleAmeloblastoma maps to a 16-gene Open Targets module — the target space DeCure's AI scientist screens approved drugs against.
DeCure.ai methodSignature reversal (LINCS) plus network proximity (STRING) rank already-approved drugs likely to perturb this module — the same engine that produces DeCure.ai's repurposing hypotheses.
Repurposing thesisScreening approved medicines against this disease module, then publishing the evidence for the strongest candidate. Known pharmacology and human exposure data make the first question sharper — they do not establish safety or efficacy in a new indication.
Research record
01
ResearchComing soon
Candidate research + dossier — target rationale, drug-repurposing thesis and evidence pack.proof: Published dossier + on-chain hash
02
ValidationComing soon
In-vitro biological validation at a contract research org (CRO).proof: CRO contract + in-vitro report
03
Peer review & paperComing soon
Peer-reviewed paper published open-access (preprint + journal).proof: DOI + open-access link + on-chain hash
Current lead
No approved-drug candidate for ameloblastoma is corroborated in the literature DeepSearch retrieved. Some conditions are managed with non-pharmacological care — a device, surgery or physical therapy — rather than a medicine; that may be the case here, or the literature we found may simply be too sparse yet to support a drug-repurposing angle.
Molecular view
NRAS proto-oncogene, GTPase (NRAS) — NRAS is one of the genes genetically linked to this disease in Open Targets — shown as context, not as a drug target we're pursuing: no approved-drug candidate for this disease is yet corroborated in the literature we found.
Loading structure…
helix sheet gdpdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 6ZIO · 1.55 Å · ligand GUANOSINE-5'-DIPHOSPHATE (GDP). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A 2016 case report describes a 56-year-old Asian woman with a multi-recurrent invasive ameloblastoma that began in the mandible, required a mandiblectomy, then appeared in the maxilla with invasion of the maxillary sinus and orbital floor, and later recurred as a retro-orbital tumour infiltrating the temporal muscles. Despite multiple surgeries including maxillectomy, the tumour continued to recur over several years, though histopathology showed no malignant transformation. The authors emphasise long-term follow-up due to the tumour’s biological behaviour.
A 2021 case report of a 22-year-old man with a giant mandibular ameloblastoma notes that the tumour is benign but rapidly extensive and prone to recurrence, and that treatment relies on surgical excision with safety margins and reconstruction. The authors call for radical treatment and regular follow-up.
A 2019 histomorphological study of 50 ameloblastoma cases found cellular cannibalism in 15 (30%) of them — 10 follicular, 3 unicystic, and 2 acanthomatous. All 15 cases tested negative for CD68 and lysozyme, suggesting the cannibalism is not mediated by macrophage markers. The authors present this as a new finding in the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma.
Two review articles summarise molecular biology progress. A 2022 review covering 156 articles identifies 20 non-coding RNAs, 13 genes, 27 proteins, and 8 pathways involved in ameloblastoma migration, differentiation, apoptosis, proliferation, angiogenesis, and carcinogenesis. It notes that progress in targeted therapy involves BRAF and SMO genes. A 2013 review discusses the roles of ameloblastin and amelogenin genes and states that molecules involved in pathogenesis could serve as markers for follow-up. Neither review reports clinical trial results or patient outcomes from targeted therapy. What is still missing are prospective clinical trials testing BRAF or SMO inhibitors in ameloblastoma patients, reliable patient stratification biomarkers, and funding for such trials in this rare tumour.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
International Journal of Surgery Case Reports · 2016 · 17 citations · open access
Multi-recurrent invasive ameloblastoma
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Ameloblastomas are rare head and neck tumors, and yet the most common odontogenic neoplasms. They account for 1% and 11% of all head and neck and odontogenic tumors respectively. Embryologically, they originate from remnants of odontogenic epithelium. Their aggressive, destructive nature, as well as their anticipated high rate of recurrence, even after en bloc resection, poses a surgical predicament. PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 56 year-old Asian female with a multi-recurrent invasive ameloblastoma. Initially, the lesion was mandibular in location for which she underwent a mandiblectomy. Later on, she presented with a maxillary ameloblastoma with invasion of both the anterior wall of the maxillary sinus and the floor of the orbit. The patient was operated twice and histopathology confirmed a cystic type recurrent ameloblastoma. A year later, she came with recurrent maxillary ameloblastoma and a maxillectomy was done. However, histopathology revealed a follicular ameloblastoma. Three years later, she presented with a retro-orbital ameloblastoma with infiltration to the temporal muscles. The patient was operated and the histopathologic examination revealed a partially cystic lesion with no malignant transformation. CONCLUSION: This case discusses available treatment options and emphasizes on the importance of long-term patient follow-up due to the biological behavior of ameloblastoma.
Archives of Oral Biology · 2022 · 17 citations · open access
Molecular biology exploration and targeted therapy strategy of Ameloblastoma
AbstractOBJECTIVE: This article aims to systematically and comprehensively discuss molecular biology-related progress and targeted therapeutic strategies for ameloblastoma, which are expected to be helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of ameloblastoma. DESIGN: A comprehensive review of scientific literature relevant to ameloblastoma, including the latest classification, global epidemiology, molecular biology advances, and targeted therapy. RESULTS: Among the 156 articles cited, a total of 20 non-coding RNAs, 13 genes, 27 proteins, and 8 pathways were involved, which play a variety of roles in ameloblastoma. These roles include participation in the biological behaviours of ameloblastoma migration, differentiation, and apoptosis; detection of ameloblastoma proliferative properties; detection of ameloblastoma angiogenesis; and identification of ameloblastoma carcinogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: At present, some progress has been made in molecular biology and targeted therapy for ameloblastoma involving BRAF and SMO genes. The related non-coding RNAs, genes, proteins, and pathways involved in this review provide new ideas and directions for the occurrence and development of ameloblastoma and have the potential to become new gene therapy targets.
Journal of Dr. YSR University of Health Sciences. · 2013 · 11 citations
The molecular and genetic aspects in the pathogenesis and treatment of ameloblastoma
AbstractAmeloblastomas are usually benign, locally aggressive neoplasms derived from the epithelial odontogenic tissues. The tumors are known for their propensity for local recurrence. Different mechanisms have been proposed to explain the mechanism behind the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma. The proper understanding of the pathogenetic mechanism involved in ameloblastoma and its proliferation, aids in constituting proper treatment. Molecules involved in the pathogenesis can serve as markers in long term follow-up. Expression of the ameloblastin and amelogenin genes in these tumors play a role and they potentiate their action through different mechanisms. This review focuses on the molecular changes that occur in ameloblastoma which has a bearing upon its treatment and prognosis.
Annals of Medicine and Surgery · 2021 · 6 citations · open access
Ameloblastoma giant: Diagnosis, treatment and reconstruction: A case report
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Ameloblastoma is a rare tumor, benign but rapidly extensive and prone to recurrence. Its management remains difficult and its treatment relies mainly on surgery. For giant ameloblastoma or in people with an advanced stage the gesture remains very mutilating. PRESENTATION OF CASE: This is a 22 year old patient, the onset of the symptomatology dates back to 2 years ago with the appearance of a mandibular swelling that increased in size with dental mobility. this motivated the patient to consult a CT scan and a panoramic radiograph as well as a biopsy that objectified an ameloblastoma. He benefited from a surgical excision with reconstruction. DISCUSSION: It is a rare tumor that mainly affects young people and especially males. It can be discovered by chance or generally in front of a mandibular swelling. Radiological examination is essential as well as biopsy to confirm the diagnosis. The treatment is surgical, which consists of an exeresis with safety margins. Reconstruction should be discussed especially for young healthy subjects. CONCLUSION: Although ameloblastoma remains a benign tumor, it is a tumor that evolves rapidly and recurs a lot, which is why it is necessary to take care of it quickly with a radical treatment and a regular follow-up with the patients.
The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice · 2019 · 4 citations · open access
Histomorphological Evidence of Cellular Cannibalism in Ameloblastoma
AbstractAIM: To study the cellular cannibalism (CC) in the tumor cells of ameloblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections of ameloblastoma cases (50) were retrieved from the archived specimens and screened for cellular cannibalism (CC) by stellate reticulum-like cells. Further characterization of CC was performed using CD68 and lysozyme antibodies. RESULTS: CC was observed in 15 (30%) cases [follicular 10 (66.66%), unicystic 3 (20%), and acanthomatous 2 (13.33%)]. In acanthomatous ameloblastoma, the CC was observed in the central metaplastic squamous cells, while in 3 cases of unicystic ameloblastoma, CC was seen in stellate reticulum-like cells of intraluminal (2) and mural proliferations (1). All the 15 cases of ameloblastoma showed a negative expression of CD68 as well as lysozyme. CONCLUSION: CC is a new addition to the pathogenesis of ameloblastoma.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works (targeted per-candidate search), resolved on OpenAlex.
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