DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for cataract — screening already-approved drugs against its 41-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleCataract maps to a 41-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 cataract 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
caprin family member 2 (CAPRIN2) — CAPRIN2 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 flcdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 4OUM · 1.491 Å · ligand CITRATE ANION (FLC). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A dominant mutation in the DNA-binding domain of the bZIP transcription factor Maf causes murine cataract in the Ofl mutant. Heterozygotes show mild pulverulent cataract; homozygotes develop renal tubular nephritis and early lethality. The R291Q substitution alters DNA binding to CRE and TRE core elements, and the mutant protein exerts a dominant effect because Maf knockout heterozygotes have no cataract. When bred onto a different genetic background, Ofl heterozygotes also show anterior segment abnormalities. The mutant is proposed as a model for human pulverulent cortical cataract.
A retrospective study of 20,070 cataract surgeries at UK independent sector treatment centres between 2005 and 2013 reported lower rates of operative complications — choroidal haemorrhage, hyphaema, intraocular lens complications, iris damage, nuclear fragment into vitreous, phacoemulsification wound burn, posterior capsule rupture or vitreous loss, vitreous in anterior chamber, and zonular dialysis — compared with the Cataract National Dataset benchmark. Postoperative complications including corneal decompensation, cystoid macular oedema, iris to wound, posterior capsule opacification requiring YAG, raised intraocular pressure, retained soft lens matter, uveitis, vitreous to section, and wound leak were also lower. Biometry outcomes were significantly better than recently published NHS benchmarks.
Proteomic analysis of human lenses from regenerative lens with secondary cataract, congenital cataract, and age-related cataract groups identified 1251 proteins, 55.2% previously unreported. Common pathways across groups included cellular metabolic processes, immune responses, and protein folding disturbances. RLSC-overexpressed proteins were enriched in intracellular immunological signal transduction; congenital cataract groups featured gene expression and VEGF signalling; age-related cataract groups showed molecular functions related to external stress. Combined with whole exome sequencing, the analysis narrowed candidate causal molecules to 16.
Two review articles from 2025 and 2022 state that no drug on the market can truly reverse cataracts; existing medications only slow progression. Surgery remains the only effective treatment. Oxidative stress is widely acknowledged as the primary influencing factor. A 2026 review adds that aldose reductase inhibitors, antioxidants, and drugs targeting protein aggregation are under investigation; small molecules such as lanosterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol have shown potential to dissolve misfolded crystallins in preclinical models, but clinical confirmation is lacking. What is still missing is clinical validation of any pharmacological candidate in adequately powered, randomised trials, along with patient stratification by cataract type and genetic background, and funding to move beyond preclinical and early-stage studies.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Human Molecular Genetics · 2003 · 60 citations · open access
A dominant mutation within the DNA-binding domain of the bZIP transcription factor Maf causes murine cataract and results in selective alteration in DNA binding
AbstractThe murine autosomal dominant cataract mutants created in mutagenesis experiments have proven to be a powerful resource for modelling the biological processes involved in cataractogenesis. We report a mutant which in the heterozygous state exhibits mild pulverulent cataract named 'opaque flecks in lens', symbol Ofl. By molecular mapping, followed by a candidate gene approach, the mutant was shown to be allelic with a knockout of the bZIP transcription factor, Maf. Homozygotes for Ofl and for Maf null mutations are similar but a new effect, renal tubular nephritis, was found in Ofl homozygotes surviving beyond 4 weeks, which may contribute to early lethality. Sequencing identified the mutation as a G-->A change, leading to the amino-acid substitution mutation R291Q in the basic region of the DNA-binding domain. Since mice heterozygous for knockouts of Maf show no cataracts, this suggests that the Ofl R291Q mutant protein has a dominant effect. We have demonstrated that this mutation results in a selective alteration in DNA binding affinities to target oligonucleotides containing variations in the core CRE and TRE elements. This implies that arginine 291 is important for core element binding and suggests that the mutant protein may exert a differential downstream effect amongst its binding targets. The cataracts seen in Ofl heterozygotes and human MAF mutations are similar to one another, implying that Ofl may be a model of human pulverulent cortical cataract. Furthermore, when bred onto a different genetic background Ofl heterozygotes also show anterior segment abnormalities. The Ofl mutant therefore provides a valuable model system for the study of Maf, and its interacting factors, in normal and abnormal lens and anterior segment development.
British Journal of Ophthalmology · 2015 · 33 citations
Cataract surgery outcomes at a UK independent sector treatment centre
AbstractBACKGROUND/AIMS: The goal of this study was to review cataract surgery outcomes at three independent surgery treatment centres established by the UK Specialist Hospitals (UKSH) and to compare these outcomes with recognised benchmarks. METHODS: All patients who underwent cataract surgery at UKSH between July 2005 and March 2013 were included. Complication rates were obtained using annual quality reports, logbooks kept in operating theatres and outpatient departments, and electronic medical records. Refractive outcomes and biometry results between December 2010 and March 2013 were obtained from electronic medical records. Results were compared with previously published benchmarks. RESULTS: This study reviewed 20,070 cataract surgeries. UKSH had lower rates of several operative complications compared with the Cataract National Dataset benchmark study. These included choroidal haemorrhage, hyphaema, intraocular lens complications, iris damage from phacoemulsification, nuclear fragment into the vitreous, phacoemulsification wound burn, posterior capsule rupture or vitreous loss or both, vitreous in anterior chamber, and zonular dialysis. UKSH had lower rates of postoperative complications including corneal decompensation, cystoid macular oedema, iris to wound, posterior capsule opacification with yttrium aluminium garnet indicated, raised intraocular pressure, retained soft lens matter, uveitis, vitreous to section, and wound leak. Biometry outcomes at UKSH were significantly better than recently published benchmarks from the National Healthcare Service. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first large-scale retrospective study of cataract surgery outcomes in the UK independent sector. The results indicate comparable or lower rates for most complications as compared with data collected in a previously published study.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Dexamethasone, Nepafenac, and Bromfenac for Preventing Pseudophakic Cystoid Macular Edema: an Open-label, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial
AbstractPURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence of pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (PCMO) in patients treated with corticosteroids alone or in combination with bromfenac or nepafenac eyedrops after uneventful cataract surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective, randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Patients who underwent routine cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implant were randomly divided into three groups receiving either bromfenac or nepafenac in association with dexamethasone or dexamethasone alone (control group) postoperatively. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) measurement, slit lamp and fundus examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed preoperatively, 1 and 5 weeks after surgery. Primary outcome was defined as patients (%) in whom macular edema developed within 5 weeks after cataract surgery; secondary end points were patients (%) with BCVA improvement from pre-op through 5 weeks after surgery and corneal toxicity. RESULTS: A total of 144 patients completed the study, 48 for each group. In all groups, mean central subfield thickness at OCT increased significantly 5 weeks after surgery (p < 0.01). However, at this time point, four patients (8.3%) of the control group and none in nepafenac and bromfenac groups developed PCMO (p = 0.016). Compared with baseline, mean BCVA significantly improved both at 1 and 5 weeks in all groups (p < 0.01). At 1 week, the nepafenac group showed a mean BCVA significantly lower compared with both the control (p = 0.038) and bromfenac group (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Co-administration of nepafenac or bromfenac and steroids in patients who underwent routine cataract surgery is associated with a lower incidence of PCMO compared with steroid monotherapy.
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology · 2016 · 18 citations · open access
Comparison of serum sodium and potassium levels in patients with senile cataract and age-matched individuals without cataract
AbstractAIM: The study was to analyze mean serum sodium and potassium levels in cataract patients and age-matched individuals without cataract. METHODS AND MATERIALS: It was a prospective case-control study. Individuals more than 50 years of age who attended our ophthalmic center in the year 2007-2010 were grouped into those having cataract and those without cataract. Mean serum sodium and potassium levels in the cataract groups were calculated and compared with the control group. Statistical software SPSS14 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Mean serum sodium levels in cataract group was 135.1 meqv/l and 133 meqv/l in the control group. Mean potassium was 3.96 meqv/l in the case study group and 3.97 meqv/l in controls. Mean sodium levels among cases were significantly higher than control group. No difference was seen in the PSC group and control. The difference in mean potassium among the two groups was statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Diets with high sodium contents are a risk factor for senile cataract formation and dietary modifications can possibly reduce the rate of progression cataract.
BMC Ophthalmology · 2017 · 15 citations · open access
Proteomics analysis and proteogenomic characterization of different physiopathological human lenses
AbstractBACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to identify the proteomic differences among human lenses in different physiopathological states and to screen for susceptibility genes/proteins via proteogenomic characterization. METHODS: The total proteomes identified across the regenerative lens with secondary cataract (RLSC), congenital cataract (CC) and age-related cataract (ARC) groups were compared to those of normal lenses using isobaric tagging for relative and absolute protein quantification (iTRAQ). The up-regulated proteins between the groups were subjected to biological analysis. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to detect genetic variations. RESULTS: The most complete human lens proteome to date, which consisted of 1251 proteins, including 55.2% previously unreported proteins, was identified across the experimental groups. Bioinformatics functional annotation revealed the common involvement of cellular metabolic processes, immune responses and protein folding disturbances among the groups. RLSC-over-expressed proteins were characteristically enriched in the intracellular immunological signal transduction pathways. The CC groups featured biological processes relating to gene expression and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling transduction, whereas the molecular functions corresponding to external stress were specific to the ARC groups. Combined with WES, the proteogenomic characterization narrowed the list to 16 candidate causal molecules. CONCLUSIONS: These findings revealed common final pathways with diverse upstream regulation of cataractogenesis in different physiopathological states. This proteogenomic characterization shows translational potential for detecting susceptibility genes/proteins in precision medicine.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · 2025 · 0 citations · open access
Pharmacological treatment and research progress of cataracts
AbstractCataracts remain the leading cause of blindness globally. They manifest as lens opacification triggered by various factors, leading to blurred vision. In severe cases, patients may eventually lose their vision entirely. There are many types of cataracts, and their pathogenesis has not been fully clarified. Currently, oxidative stress is widely acknowledged as the primary influencing factor. Pharmacological intervention remains a significant clinical challenge in cataract management. At present, there are no drugs on the market capable of truly reversing cataracts; existing medications can only alleviate the progression of the condition to a certain extent. Surgical treatment remains the only effective approach at this stage. However, economic limitations and the risks of postoperative complications hinder its accessibility for certain patient groups. The treatment of cataracts has consistently been a research hotspot in the field of ophthalmology. Current research mainly centers on two strategic approaches: optimizing surgical techniques alongside improved perioperative pharmaceutical regimens to minimize complications, and conducting basic researches on disease mechanisms to facilitate drug discovery. Effective drug treatment has long been a major gap in current clinical treatment. In recent years, significant progress has been achieved in the exploration of cataract mechanisms and the development of new drugs. Despite the remarkable advancements in uncovering cataract pathogenesis and identifying novel therapeutic targets in recent years, substantial challenges remain in translating these discoveries into clinically applicable medications. This article reviews the progress in mechanism research, the current state of pharmacological interventions, and the clinical research developments of several promising cataract drugs, aiming to provide the latest reference for the research and development of new cataract drugs.
Advances in pathogenesis and pharmacotherapy of cataract
Abstract<p indent="0mm">Cataract is the leading cause of vision impairment worldwide. As the population ages, the prevalence of cataract will increase rapidly, which has caused a substantial social and economic burden. Although cataract surgery is effective, it still suffers from complications and high costs and could not meet the increasing surgery demand. Therefore, pharmacological treatment for cataracts is cheaper and more readily available for patients. Therefore, research on the pathogenesis of cataract and exploring potential therapeutic drugs for cataract have always been a research hotspot for years. Based on our team’s current work, this article summarizes the pathogenesis and pharmacotherapy strategies of cataract from the pathogenesis of cataract, the cataract disease models, and the development of anti-cataract drugs.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2026 · 0 citations · open access
A Comprehensive Review on Cataract: Pathophysiology, Current Therapies, And Herbal Interventions
AbstractThe most common cause of reversible blindness in the world is still cataracts, which are brought on by oxidative damage and protein aggregation in the lens crystallin. Phacoemulsification surgery is still the gold standard of therapy, but its high expense, surgical risks, and restricted accessibility highlight the urgent need for efficient pharmaceutical substitutes. Aldose reductase inhibitors, antioxidants, and new drugs that target protein aggregation are the mainstays of recent developments in cataract pharmacotherapy. By increasing glutathione activity and lowering lipid peroxidation, oxidative stress-modulating substances such vitamins C and E, lutein, zeaxanthin, polyphenols, melatonin, and caffeine have demonstrated encouraging preventive effects. By dissolving misfolded crystallins, small substances like lanosterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol have the potential to reverse lens opacity. These medications are being found more quickly thanks to high-throughput screening technologies, which are developing new non-surgical cataract therapy options. To successfully convert these findings into therapeutic applications, however, additional clinical confirmation is required. This review incorporates current understanding of cataract pathophysiology, risk factors, and pharmaceutical therapies for preventing or reversing lens opacity.
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.
