DeCure's autonomous Dermatology AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for autoimmune bullous skin disease — screening already-approved drugs against its 2-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleAutoimmune bullous skin disease maps to a 2-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 autoimmune bullous skin disease 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
mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (MAPK14) — MAPK14 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 bogdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 3OEF · 1.6 Å · ligand octyl beta-D-glucopyranoside (BOG). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A 1995 epidemiological study in central Germany covering 1.7 million people over 65 months found that autoimmune subepidermal blistering dermatoses are rare; all patients had newly acquired disease involving skin or mucous membranes, and most were admitted for treatment. A 2010 experimental study in mice with maternally transmitted autoantibodies to type VII collagen (the model for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita) found that skin-bound autoantibodies cleared in 8 weeks, twice as long as circulating autoantibodies (4 weeks). The transmitted autoantibodies produced IgG, IgG1, IgG2a/b and complement C3 deposits in offspring skin but caused no histological or clinical blistering. The authors noted these findings need confirmation in humans.
A 2017 case report describes one 40-year-old man with autoimmune bullous skin disorder who failed allopathic medicines and then achieved complete remission with Ayurvedic treatment. No sample size, control, or quantitative outcomes are given. A 2019 study of 50 patients compared plasma exchange (25 patients) with conventional hormone therapy (25 patients). Short-term efficacy did not differ significantly between groups. The plasma exchange group used lower initial, maximum, and cumulative glucocorticoid doses, and had a lower incidence of complications.
The evidence for treatment of autoimmune bullous skin disease remains limited. The plasma exchange trial is small and shows no superiority in efficacy, only a reduction in steroid dose and complications. The Ayurvedic report is a single uncontrolled case. The mouse data on antibody clearance rates have not been replicated in humans. What is missing are larger randomised trials comparing plasma exchange or other interventions against standard care, prospective studies of antibody clearance in patients, and any stratification by disease subtype or autoantibody profile.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Archives of Dermatology · 1995 · 228 citations
Incidence of autoimmune subepidermal blistering dermatoses in a region of central Germany
AbstractWith great interest, we read the recent article by Bernard et al<sup>1</sup>in the January 1995 issue of theArchiveson the incidence and distribution of subepidermal autoimmune bullous skin diseases in three French regions. Epidemiologic data on these conditions had been extremely rare, and we undertook a similar study in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Würzburg (Germany). This center is the only dermatologic department in northwestern Bavaria, a region of central Germany. The observation period was 65 months (March 1989 through July 1994), and cases included in this investigation came from an area covering a population of 1.7× 10<sup>6</sup>. All patients in this study suffered from a newly acquired bullous disease involving the skin and/or the mucous membranes. These patients were seen in our outpatient clinic, and most were admitted for initiation of treatment. The diagnostic criteria are shown in<b>Table 1</b>. All patients
Incidence of Autoimmune Subepidermal Blistering Dermatoses in a Region of Central Germany
AbstractWith great interest, we read the recent article by Bernard et al<sup>1</sup>in the January 1995 issue of theArchiveson the incidence and distribution of subepidermal autoimmune bullous skin diseases in three French regions. Epidemiologic data on these conditions had been extremely rare, and we undertook a similar study in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Würzburg (Germany). This center is the only dermatologic department in northwestern Bavaria, a region of central Germany. The observation period was 65 months (March 1989 through July 1994), and cases included in this investigation came from an area covering a population of 1.7× 10<sup>6</sup>. All patients in this study suffered from a newly acquired bullous disease involving the skin and/or the mucous membranes. These patients were seen in our outpatient clinic, and most were admitted for initiation of treatment. The diagnostic criteria are shown in<b>Table 1</b>. All patients
British Journal of Dermatology · 2010 · 25 citations
Clearance rates of circulating and tissue-bound autoantibodies to type VII collagen in experimental epidermolysis bullosa acquisita
AbstractBACKGROUND: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a severe autoimmune skin disease characterized by autoantibodies to type VII collagen, the major component of anchoring fibrils. In this and other autoimmune bullous dermatoses, specific autoantibody detection systems are not only of diagnostic use but also allow monitoring of circulating and skin-bound autoantibodies during the course of the disease. However, little is known about their natural clearance rates in these different compartments. OBJECTIVES: To study clearance rates of circulating and tissue-bound autoantibodies to type VII collagen in experimental EBA. METHODS: Using offspring from mice with experimentally induced EBA, we examined retention times of diaplacentally transmitted autoantibodies to type VII collagen in serum of neonatal mice by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and of immunoreactant deposits in skin by direct immunofluorescence microscopy. Additionally, the pathogenic potential of transmitted autoantibodies was evaluated in descendant mice. RESULTS: Immediately after birth, comparable levels of pathogenic antibody concentrations were observed in maternal and neonatal mice. The clearance time of skin-bound autoantibodies was twice as long as that of circulating autoantibodies (8 and 4 weeks, respectively). Maternofetal transfer of pathogenic autoantibodies produced specific immunopathological (IgG, IgG1, IgG2a/b and complement C3 deposits) but not histological or clinical alterations in skin of offspring mice. CONCLUSIONS: Although still to be confirmed in humans, our findings add to the knowledge on turnover rates of circulating and skin-bound autoantibodies in autoimmune bullous dermatoses, which in turn may facilitate a more specific monitoring of these antibodies during the disease course, reduce the need for repeated skin biopsies, and may also be helpful in guiding treatment decisions.
Ancient Science of Life · 2017 · 10 citations · open access
Autoimmune bullous skin disease managed with ayurvedic treatment: A case report
AbstractAutoimmune bullous diseases are a group of rare, acquired disorders characterized by overlapping features, resistance to treatment, and potential fatality. They need quick and proper management to avoid fatal complications. Ayurveda is found to provide better relief in some autoimmune disorders. Herein, we report a 40-year-old male of autoimmune bullous skin disorder (Visphoṭaka) who failed to respond to allopathic medicines and was subsequently treated with Ayurvedic medicines and achieved complete remission.
The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology · 2003 · 3 citations · open access
Celecoxib-Induced Bullous Pemphigoid: Report Of The First Case
AbstractA 72-year-old woman developed a bullous eruption affecting her oral mucous membranes, hands, and feet. A skin biopsy revealed subepidermal bullae with lymphocytes. Immunofluorescence showed heavy IgG and C3 deposition at the basement membrane zone. Bullous pemphigoid was diagnosed on the basis of clinical, histopathologic, and immunofluorescence findings. The bullae developed after recent ingestion of celecoxib and subsided soon after discontinuation. We believe this case represents the first reported case of celecoxib-induced bullous pemphigoid.
Journal of Clinical and Nursing Research · 2019 · 0 citations · open access
Clinical efficacy of plasma exchange therapy for treatment of autoimmune bullous skin disease
AbstractObjective: To investigate the clinical efficacy of plasma exchange therapy for autoimmune bullous skin disease. METHODS: Fifty patients with autoimmune bullous skin disease enrolled in our hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were selected. The patients were grouped by treatment method: 25 control group patients were given conventional hormone therapy, while 25 experimental group patients were treated with plasma exchange therapy; efficacy of treatment was compared between two groups of patients. RESULTS: Initial dose, maximum dose, and cumulative dose of glucocorticoids were lower in experimental group patients than those in control group (P<0.05). Incidence of complication was lower in experimental group patients than those in control group (P<0.05); the difference was significant. There was no significant difference in short-term efficacy between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: The application of plasma exchange therapy was effective for treatment of autoimmune bullous skin disease. It could reduce dosage amount of glucocorticoids and incidence of complications; its application can be promoted.
Journal of the Egyptian Womenʼs Dermatologic Society · 2025 · 0 citations · open access
Excellent response to rituximab in a patient with recalcitrant epidermolysis bullosa acquisita: a case report
AbstractEpidermolysis Bullosa Acquisita is a rare, chronic autoimmune blistering disorder characterized by vesicles and bullae on the skin and mucous membranes. This condition, presenting typically in adulthood, is caused by autoantibodies against type VII collagen. Conventional treatments, including systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressants, often fail to achieve long-term remission. Biologic agents like rituximab have shown promise in managing refractory cases. This report presents a case of a 27-year-old female with recalcitrant epidermolysis bullosa acquisita successfully managed after starting rituximab therapy.
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.
DeCure is a research and publication project, not medical advice and not a treatment. "DeCure for X" describes a research goal, not a claim that a cure exists. Backing a cure is a contribution to fund the research — it is not an investment, and confers no yield, royalty, equity or IP ownership. Papers are published open-access by the DeCure.ai DAO.
