DeCure's autonomous Cancer AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for biliary tract cancer — screening already-approved drugs against its 43-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleBiliary tract cancer maps to a 43-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
approvedSunitinibApproved drugapprovedGemcitabineApproved drug
Structures already discussed alongside biliary tract cancer in the retrieved literature, rendered from public PubChem SMILES. Which drugs appear here reflects the evidence found, not a ranked prediction.
Molecular view
KIT kinase domain — Sunitinib has a real, experimentally solved structure in complex with this target (PDB 3G0E, 1.6 Å). This is the drug's own deposited structure, not a prediction, and confirms it is a structurally characterised molecule rather than an untested guess.
Loading structure…
helix sheet b49drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 3G0E · 1.6 Å · ligand Sunitinib (B49). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
In a 2014 study comparing gemcitabine and S-1 combination therapy in biliary tract cancer, the response rate was 40.0% in patients with recurrent disease versus 25.5% in unresectable patients (P = 0.34). Median time-to-progression was 8.7 months for recurrent cases and 5.7 months for unresectable cases (P = 0.14). Median overall survival was 16.1 months for recurrent and 9.6 months for unresectable patients (P = 0.10). None of these differences reached statistical significance. However, dose intensity was significantly lower in the recurrent group (gemcitabine 83.5% vs 96.8%, P < 0.01; S-1 75.9% vs 91.8%, P < 0.01), and neutropenia occurred more frequently in recurrent patients (90% vs 55%, P = 0.04).
A 2006 retrospective analysis of 46 advanced biliary tract cancer patients treated with single-agent gemcitabine reported a median survival of 8.6 months and a 1-year survival of 43.9%. One patient (2.2%) achieved a complete response, 5 (10.9%) a partial response, and 25 (54.3%) had stable disease. For patients who had recurrence or residual cancer after surgical resection, median survival was 13.5 months and 1-year survival 68.8%; for inoperable patients, median survival was 5.4 months and 1-year survival 8.3%. Grade 3/4 neutropenia or leucopenia occurred in 4.3% of patients, grade 3 thrombocytopenia in 2.2%, and grade 3 fatigue in 4.3%. Multivariate analysis identified prior surgical resection with recurrence or residual tumour as an independent predictor of survival, and also suggested that patients with low serum albumin (< 3.7 g/dl) or age 70 or older had worse prognosis.
A 1980 series of 127 patients treated between 1965 and 1974 reported a mean survival of 25.6 months when radical surgery was attempted and 5.5 months with palliative procedures. Fifty-six patients died within one month, 24 lived more than one year, 9 more than three years, and 5 more than five years; 3 were still alive at follow-up. A 2024 retrospective analysis of 33 patients over 10 years stated that surgical resection offers the only chance of long-term survival, but only a small number of patients can undergo surgery with curative intent, and the majority receive palliative chemotherapy. A 2013 review noted that most patients present with locally advanced or metastatic disease, that combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin is the standard treatment for such cases, and that prognosis remains poor.
What is still missing are prospective trials that stratify patients by resectability status and prior surgery history, adequate funding for such trials, and reliable biomarkers to identify which patients might benefit from more aggressive regimens versus palliative approaches.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
In Vivo · 2021 · 11 citations · open access
Prognostic Impact of Sarcopenia in Patients With Biliary Tract Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy
AbstractAIM: Sarcopenia affects the treatment of various cancer types but its impact on chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis in biliary tract cancer remains unclear. Thus, we evaluated whether sarcopenia independently affects the outcome of chemotherapy for biliary tract cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Data of 50 patients who underwent chemotherapy for biliary tract cancer at two affiliated centres were retrospectively analysed. The association of clinical factors, including sarcopenia, with overall survival and time to treatment failure was analysed. RESULTS: Sarcopenia was an independent factor negatively influencing overall survival and time to treatment failure in univariate and multivariate analyses (median overall survival, sarcopenic vs. non-sarcopenic patients: 10.6 vs. 16.6 months; hazard ratio=2.19, p=0.018; time to treatment failure: 5.3 vs. 13.1 months, hazard ratio=2.50, p=0.019). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia may affect the efficacy of chemotherapy and prognosis in biliary tract cancer. Thus, improving sarcopenia may improve the prognosis of patients with biliary tract cancer undergoing chemotherapy.
Phase II study of sunitinib as second-line treatment in advanced biliary tract carcinoma: Multicenter, multinational study.
Abstracte14653 Background: Biliary tract carcinoma (BTC) is rare in the West, but not uncommon in Asia and is highly fatal malignancy. While gemcitabine-based regimen is considered as reasonable option for first-line treatment, most patients progress eventually. VEGF expression is related with poor outcome in patients with BTC. Therefore, we conducted phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of sunitinib as second-line treatment in previously treated unresectable, metastatic BTC. Methods:This was a prospective, single-arm, multicenter, multinational study. Patients with unresectable, metastatic BTC who progressed after first-line cytotoxic chemotherapy were eligible. Sunitinib was administered at 37.5 mg once daily continuously with 4-week cycle until progression, unacceptable toxicity or consent withdrawal. The primary end point was the time to progression (TTP) and the secondary end points were response rate (RR), overall survival (OS) and safety profile. Results:Between May 2009 and October 2010, a total of 56 patients were enrolled from three countries. The median age was 55 years (range 38-75) and male to female ratio was 37:19 (66.1% : 33.9%). Forty one (73.2%) had intra or extrahepatic duct cancer and 15 (26.8%) had gall bladder cancer. Median TTP was 1.7 months. (95% CI 1.0-2.4) The objective response rate was 8.9% (95% CI 3.0-19.6: 5 PR, 18 SD, 28 PD) and disease control rate was 50.0%. (95% CI 36.3-63.7) The median overall survival was 4.8 months. (95% CI 3.8-4.8) grade 3–4 toxicities were observed in 42.1% of the patients with neutropenia being the most frequent. (17.9%). Conclusions: This phase II study demonstrated that sunitinib monotherapy was a feasible treatment for metastatic BTC patients who have failed to previous chemotherapy.
World Journal of Gastroenterology · 2014 · 5 citations · open access
Treatment outcomes of chemotherapy between unresectable and recurrent biliary tract cancer
AbstractAIM: To evaluate the differences in the treatment outcomes between the unresectable and recurrent biliary tract cancer patients who received chemotherapy. METHODS: Patients who were treated with gemcitabine and S-1 combination therapy in the previous prospective studies were divided into groups of unresectable and recurrent cases. The tumor response, time-to-progression, overall survival, toxicity, and dose intensity were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Response rate of the recurrent group was higher than that of the unresectable group (40.0% vs 25.5%; P = 0.34). Median time-to-progression of the recurrent and unresectable groups were 8.7 mo (95%CI), 1.2 mo, not reached) and 5.7 mo (95%CI: 4.0-7.0 mo), respectively (P = 0.14). Median overall survival of the recurrent and the unresectable groups were 16.1 mo (95%CI: 2.0 mo-not reached) and 9.6 mo (95%CI: 7.1-11.7 mo), respectively (P = 0.10). Dose intensities were significantly lower in the recurrent groups (gemcitabine: recurrent group 83.5% vs unresectable group 96.8%; P < 0.01, S-1: Recurrent group 75.9% vs unresectable group 91.8%; P < 0.01). Neutropenia occurred more frequently in recurrent group (recurrent group 90% vs unresectable group 55%; P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Not only the efficacy but also the toxicity and dose intensity were significantly different between unresectable and recurrent biliary tract cancer.
Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences · 1980 · 2 citations · open access
Biliary Tract Carcinoma
AbstractA series of 127 patients treated for cancer of the biliary tract during the period 1965-1974 was studied with a follow-up period of at least five years. The mean age was 66 years and the female:male ratio was 3:1. An early diagnosis of biliary tract carcinoma is difficult and the prognosis unfavourable although not hopeless. The surgical treatment given in the present series included a radical approach whenever possible. In the total series 56 patients died within a month, 24 lived for more than one year, 9 longer than three years and 5 longer than five years and 3 are still alive. A mean survival time of 25.6 months was reached when a radical operation was attempted while a palliative procedure gave a mean survival time of 5.5 months. These figures indicated that a careful selection of patients for an attempt of radical surgery should be done since removal of the tumour gives a more effective palliation, often a longer survival time, an improvement of quality of live and in a few patients cure.
The retrospective analysis of single agent gemcitabine for biliary tract cancers
Abstract14122 Background: At present, outcomes of advanced biliary tract cancers are dismal despite the prognosis of other many cancers are improving. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed survivals of 46 advanced biliary tract cancer patients, who were diagnosed between January 2001 and June 2005, and treated with gemcitabine 600–1,000 mg/m 2 as an intravenous 30-min infusion on days 1, 8, and 15 for every 28 days, thereafter. Results: The median age was 63 (range 41–76) with 28 males and 18 females. Twenty-nine (63.0%) had no prior chemotherapy and 18 (30.4%) patients were inoperable cases. One (2.2%) achieved complete response; 5 (10.9%) achieved partial responses; 25 (54.3%) had stable diseases; 9 (19.6%) had progressive disease; and 6 (13.0%) were not evaluated for response. The median survival time and the 1 year-survival of all advanced biliary cancer patients were 8.6 months and 43.9%, respectively, those of the patients, who had the recurrence or residual cancer lesions after surgical resection were 13.5 months and 68.8%, and those of the inoperable patients were 5.4 months and 8.3%. Patients reported grade 3/4 neutropenia/leucopenia (4.3%) and grade 3 thrombocytopenia (2.2%). Grade 3 non-hematologic toxicities were general fatigue (4.3%) and renal failure (2.2%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that history of surgical resection with tumor recurrence or with residual tumor was the independent predictors for survival. Moreover, except the features of the history of surgical resection, the prognosis of patients with low levels of serum albumin (< 3.7 g/dl) or ≥ 70 ages was worse than that of high levels of serum albumin (≥ 3.7 g/dl) or < 70 ages. Conclusions: In the treatment of biliary tract cancer, it seems that surgical resection even with possible residual tumor is beneficial for patients with good surgical candidate. The present study also suggests the possibility that the prognosis of patients with low levels of serum albumin (< 3.7 g/dl) or ≥ 70 ages might be worse than that of high levels of serum albumin (≥ 3.7 g/dl) or < 70 ages. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology Reports · 2024 · 0 citations · open access
Biliary Track Cancer Retrospective Analysis of Last 10 Years
AbstractSurgical resection could offer the only chance of a long-term survival for biliary tract cancer. In fact, only a small number of these patients can undergo surgery with curative intent. The majority receive palliative chemotherapy or other systemic treatments. In patients with localized disease the only treatment is a complete resection. We present herein our experience with 33 patients the last 10 years and summarize the surgical strategies and prognostic factors focusing on the role of surgical resection.
Chemotherapies and molecularly targeted therapies in biliary tract cancers
AbstractBiliary tract cancer(BTC) is a malignart tumor which originates from biliary epithelia.Most patients with BTC present locally advanced stage or distant metastasis.Although the standard systemic chemotherapy approaches are emerging,the prognosis remains poor.Combination of gemcitabine and cisplatin can significantly prolong survival for patients,which is the standard treatment for locally advanced or metastatic BTC.Application of molecularly targeted therapies in advanced BTC is the new trend of clinical research.
Key words:
Biliary tract neoplasms; Targeted therapy
Research Square · 2023 · 0 citations · open access
A Systematic Review of the Efficacy of Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy Alone Versus Chemotherapy Combined With Immunotherapy for Biliary Tract Cancer
AbstractAbstract Background : Biliary tract cancer (BTC) remains one of the rare but most devastating cancer diseases, with a rising global burden. The increasing mortality and morbidity trends have indicated the need for improved interventions for effective treatment for all the BTC subtypes. Henc, there has been proposals for use of combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Methods and Results : The main research question was “How effective is Chemotherapy-Immunotherapy combination compared to Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy alone in treating Biliary Tract Cancer?” The systematic review followed the mixed-method research design based on the PRISMA guidelines. This systematic review focused on studies published between 2022 and 2023. The results showed that both chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy and monotherapies are effective in treating BTC. Conclusions : Chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy as well as monotherapies are effective and safer.
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.
