DeCure's autonomous Cancer AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for chondroblastoma — screening already-approved drugs against its 37-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleChondroblastoma maps to a 37-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 chondroblastoma 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
protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type D (PTPRD) — PTPRD 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 2YD6 · 1.35 Å · ligand CITRATE ANION (FLC). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
In a series of 17 patients treated between 2004 and 2016, five cases of chondroblastoma recurred after surgery. The average follow-up was 41.6 months. Seven patients received curettage alone; nine received additional adjuvant treatments. Among the five recurrences, one patient was advised to undergo disarticulation, one was treated with curettage and grafting, and three with curettage and cementing; no further recurrence was observed in those patients during follow-up. The mean Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score was 27.3 out of 30, indicating good functional results. The authors note that chondroblastoma has a recurrence rate up to 35% and that extended curettage is the mainstay of treatment.
A separate retrospective study of 12 patients treated between 2003 and 2009 used intralesional resection, adjuvant electrocauterisation, and replacement with methyl methacrylate (11 cases) or autologous iliac crest graft (one case). No local recurrence was observed during follow-up, and all patients had excellent functional results with Enneking scores ranging from 20 to 30. The most common location was the distal femoral epiphysis (75%), and the average age at diagnosis was 14 years and 4 months. That study reported a higher prevalence among female patients (3:1), which differs from the 17-patient series where 13 of 16 patients were male.
Two case reports describe complete excision of temporal bone chondroblastoma. One patient with a left temporal swelling and hearing loss underwent complete tumour resection; histopathology confirmed chondroblastoma. The other patient, with swelling and trismus at the temporomandibular joint, had complete excision and remained symptom-free eight years later. Both reports emphasise that chondroblastoma, though benign, can be locally aggressive and invade bone.
A 2021 letter to the editor criticises a prior study on synthetic bone substitute for chondroblastoma, pointing out shortcomings in statistical analysis and variable grouping, and calls for prospective controlled studies with larger samples. The evidence remains limited to small retrospective series and case reports. What is missing are prospective controlled trials, adequate statistical power to identify risk factors for recurrence or joint degeneration, and standardised protocols for comparing adjuvant treatments and defect-filling materials.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Radiology · 1994 · 129 citations
Chondroblastoma: classic and confusing appearance at MR imaging.
AbstractPURPOSE: To define the characteristics of chondroblastoma at magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and the combination of findings that are diagnostic for chondroblastoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1987 through December 1992, 22 patients with histologically confirmed chondroblastoma and prior MR imaging examinations were seen. Patients included 16 men and six women, aged 10-58 years (median, 17 years). Retrospective analysis of findings at MR imaging, plain radiography, computed tomography, and bone scanning was performed. RESULTS: Low to intermediate heterogeneous signal intensity, lobular internal architecture, and fine lobular margins were well defined with high-resolution T2-weighted (repetition time > or = 1,500 msec, echo time > or = 70 msec) MR imaging. Adjacent bone-marrow and soft-tissue edema and periosteal reactions were more dramatically demonstrated on MR images than on radiographs. Bone marrow edema was prominent in all but five cases. Obvious periosteal reaction and adjacent soft-tissue edema were visible in 17 cases. CONCLUSION: Knowledge of the MR imaging findings of chondroblastoma will allow accurate diagnosis and help avoid confusion with infection and aggressive neoplasms.
Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica · 2018 · 30 citations · open access
Chondroblastoma: An evaluation of the recurrences and functional outcomes following treatment
AbstractOBJECTIVE: Chondroblastoma is a benign aggressive tumor which needs surgical treatment and has a recurrence rate up to 35%. Extended (aggressive) curettage is the mainstay of treatment and local adjuvants have been reported to decrease the recurrence rate. METHODS: The recurrence rates and the functional results of 14 patients who were treated in our institution and 2 other patients who were treated elsewhere between the years 2004-2016 were evaluated. Seventeen cases (13 male, 3 female; mean age: 17.1 [range: 13 to 32] years) who had been diagnosed, treated and followed up in our hospital between 2004 and 2016 were evaluated in terms of recurrence rates and functional outcomes. The average follow-up period was 41.6 (range: 12 to 132) months. RESULTS: Five cases of recurrence were observed. Two cases had undergone their primary treatment in another institution. Seven cases were performed curettage alone whereas nine others were administered adjuvant treatments. One of the five recurrence patients was advised to undergo disarticulation. Another was treated with curettage and grafting and the remaining three patients with curettage and cementing. No recurrence was observed in their follow-up period. Their mean MSTS score was 27.3 (range: 4 to 30) over a maximum of 30 points and their functional results were good. CONCLUSION: Chondroblastoma is a tumor with high recurrence rates in the post-treatment period. However, good functional outcomes can be achieved with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment even after recurrence. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study.
Journal of bone oncology · 2020 · 29 citations · open access
Chondroblastoma: Is intralesional curettage with the use of adjuvants a sufficient way of therapy?
AbstractBACKGROUND: Chondroblastoma is a rare benign cartilaginous bone tumor that represents 1-2% of all primary bone tumors. It is characterized by aggressive growth, possible recurrence after surgical treatment and, in rare cases, metastasis. Surgical management is the primary treatment and includes intralesional curettage with or without adjuvants. Local recurrence rates vary between less than 10% up to more than 30%. METHODS: In this retrospective study between 2009 and 2020 we analysed 38 cases of chondroblastoma with a mean follow-up of 27.9 months who underwent a surgical treatment in our institution. Epidemiological data, radiographic and histological examinations, different surgical techniques, complications and local recurrence were evaluated to comment on the question if curettage with or without adjuvants is a sufficient way of therapy. RESULTS: The study includes 25 male (65.8%) and 13 female (34.2%) patients with a mean age of 17.2 (11-51) years. The most common location of manifestation was the proximal epiphyseal humerus (34.2%), followed by the proximal tibia (26.3%) and the distal femur (15.8%). Joint involvement occurred in 28 patients (73.7%). In all cases intralesional curettage was performed; in 25 cases (65.8%) the resulting cavity was filled with bone substitute, in 7.9% (3 cases) with bone cement and in 10.5% (4 cases) with autogenous bone graft. Adjuvant hydrogen peroxide was used in 64.9% of the cases. The overall recurrence rate was 39.5% (15 cases). The following subgroup analysis showed a recurrence rate of 100% (4/4 cases) after curettage and defect reconstruction with autogenous bone. In the case of intralesional curettage and filling of the cavity with bone substitute but without use of adjuvant the recurrence rate was 50% (4/8 cases). A low recurrence rate of 11.8% (2 cases) was observed in the case of intralesional curettage, using hydrogen peroxide as adjuvant (17 cases) and bone substitute for defect reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Chondroblastoma represents a rare pathology. Therapeutically an aggressive intralesional curettage with use of hydrogen peroxide as adjuvant and filling up the defect with bone substitute leads to low recurrence rates.
Chondroblastoma of the temporomandibular joint lateral capsule: a case report
AbstractAIM: Chondroblastoma is a rare, benign bone tumor that accounts for approximately 1% of all primary bone tumors. Chondroblastoma that occurs at the temporomandibular joint can exhibit symptoms similar to those associated with other temporomandibular disorders. This case study aims to present an eight-year followup of chondroblastoma occurring at the temporomandibular joint. METHODOLOGY: The patient presented swelling in the left temporomandibular joint and trismus. Based oncomputed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings, a provisional diagnosis of synovial chondromatosis was made. Complete excision of the lesion was performed under general anesthesia. RESULTS: After histopathological examination, the lesion was finally diagnosed as chondroblastoma. Currently, 8 years after the operation, the patient has not experienced any symptoms or any notable complications. CONCLUSIONS: Although chondroblastoma is a benign tumor, it shows aggressive characteristics with bone invasion. Therefore, precise diagnosis and proper treatment planning is crucial for successful treatment of chondroblastoma.
Medical Archives · 2020 · 2 citations · open access
Temporal Bone Chondroblastoma: a Rare Entity
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Chondroblastoma is an uncommon benign, locally destructive tumor that usually arises from epiphyses of the long bones. Temporal bone chondroblastoma is an extremely rare occurrence. Chondroblastoma arise from immature cartilage cells and it may display certain malignant features by invading surrounding structures and metastasizing to adjacent sites. AIM: To present a case of extradural temporal bone chondroblastoma and discuss the clinical presentation, radiographic findings, histology and particularly the surgical management of the case. CASE REPORT: We report a case of a 31-year-old man who presented with a painless left temporal swelling and left sided hearing loss for four months. Computed tomography (CT) scan revealed an aggressive mass involving the left preauricular region with temporal mastoid bone erosion. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an extra-axial left temporal mastoid mass pushing the left temporal lobe superiorly. The patient underwent complete excision of the temporal bone tumor. The final histopathological diagnosis was in keeping with chondroblastoma. CONCLUSION: Temporal bone chondroblastoma is rare but an aggressive condition. Complete tumor resection via an appropriate approach that enables adequate exposure will lead to a favorable outcome.
World Journal of Surgical Oncology · 2021 · 0 citations · open access
Letter to the Editor concerning the article “Clinical outcomes of chondroblastoma treated using synthetic bone substitute: risk factors for developing radiographic joint degeneration”
AbstractThe purpose of this letter to the Editor is to report some shortcomings in the statistical analysis and variable grouping in the recent publication of the article "Clinical outcomes of chondroblastoma treated using synthetic bone substitute: risk factors for developing radiographic joint degeneration," and to further explore some of the factors that may affect the clinical prognosis of chondroblastoma patients. We also suggest future prospective controlled studies with large samples to improve the limitations encountered by Outani et al. (World J Surg Oncol. 18(1):47, 2020) due to insufficient statistical power of variables and lack of controls.
Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia (English Edition) · 2011 · 0 citations · open access
RESULTS FROM CLINICAL AND RADIOLOGICAL FOLLOW-UP, AFTER SURGICAL TREATMENT OF CHONDROBLASTOMA
AbstractOBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term clinical and radiological results from patients who underwent surgical treatment of chondroblastoma, between 2003 and 2009, by the same surgical team, using the same operative technique. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 12 patients with histological diagnoses of chondroblastoma, who were attended between 2003 and 2009 at the Pius XII Foundation (Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, State of São Paulo). These patients underwent surgical treatment with intralesional resection of the tumor, adjuvant electrocauterization and replacement with methyl methacrylate (11 cases) or an autologous graft from the iliac crest (one case). The preoperative evaluation included physical examination, plain radiographs of the site, magnetic resonance imaging, computed axial tomography and bone scintigraphy. The patients were assessed clinically and radiologically according to a predefined protocol, with a series of plain radiographs, and a functional assessment in accordance with the Enneking functional score. RESULTS: The average age at the time of diagnosis was 14 years and 4 months. The most frequent location affected was the distal femoral epiphysis (75%), followed by the proximal tibial epiphysis (16.6%) and the calcaneus (8.4%). There was higher prevalence among the female patients than among the male patients (3:1). In three cases, preoperative biopsy was necessary. During the follow-up, there was no evidence of local tumor recurrence, and all the patients presented an excellent functional result from the surgical technique used, with Enneking scores ranging from 20 to 30. CONCLUSION: Surgical treatment of chondroblastoma, using intralesional resection, adjuvant electrocauterization and replacement with methyl methacrylate or bone graft produced good results.
Argensola: Revista de Ciencias Sociales del Instituto de Estudios Altoaragoneses · 2006 · 0 citations
Un interesante trabajo del erudito y polifacético Francisco de Artiga: la descripción de la planta del monasterio nuevo de San Juan de la Peña
AbstractOur results further support curettage and defect filling even of active/aggressive chondroblastoma. If performed betimes, the surgical therapeutic concept of accurate intralesional curettage with or without local adjuvant therapy and defect packing with cancellous bone grafts and/or bone cement assures a high chance of joint preservation along with a low rate of recurrence and good functional long-term results.
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.
