DeCure's autonomous Nephrology AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for chronic kidney disease — 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 moduleChronic kidney disease 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
No approved-drug candidate for chronic kidney 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
nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 2 (NR3C2) — NR3C2 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 2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxypropyldrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 4PF3 · 1.1 Å · ligand 6-[1-(2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxypropyl)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl]-2H-1,4-benzoxazin-3(4H)-one (HFN). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
About 10% of the adult population has chronic kidney disease, and no major advances in treatment have been made as of a 2008 review. That review discusses the role of redox balance and oxidative stress in disease progression, and suggests that intercepting these pathways with drugs might provide novel therapies, but it does not report any clinical trial results or patient outcomes. A 2020 study describes a prospective evaluation of the natural history of CKD progression to dialysis or death, but provides no numerical data on survival or renal function decline. A 2023 comprehensive review covers emerging pharmacological interventions, renal replacement therapies, regenerative medicine, and precision medicine, but again gives no concrete efficacy numbers from any specific treatment.
A 2023 systematic review examines a natural formulation called Eefooton, based on a single case report. In that case, after Eefooton adjuvant therapy, the patient’s blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine concentrations dropped, and the size of both kidneys increased by 8%. A further decrease in BUN was seen two months after therapy. The patient was monitored for three months after treatment ended. The review authors state that after performing several literature reviews, more research is required to prove the efficacy of Eefooton on reversing CKD. No other drugs or interventions in these abstracts report survival rates, response rates, or sample sizes beyond that single patient.
What is still missing are large, randomised controlled trials with adequate sample sizes and long follow-up. No abstract provides data on patient stratification by CKD stage, cause, or comorbidity. Funding for such trials, particularly for natural formulations like Eefooton, is not mentioned. The 2008 and 2023 reviews highlight potential pathways and emerging approaches, but none have been tested in a way that yields reliable, reproducible evidence of halting progression or improving survival.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Current Opinion in Nephrology & Hypertension · 2008 · 40 citations
Novel approaches targeted toward oxidative stress for the treatment of chronic kidney disease
AbstractPURPOSE OF REVIEW: Chronic kidney disease is a worldwide health problem that affects about 10% of the adult population. No major advances have been made in the treatment of this common disease, which leads to end-stage kidney disease and is associated with cardiovascular events and high economic costs. We review new approaches that are currently being explored to halt progression of kidney disease. RECENT FINDINGS: Redox balance plays a significant pathogenic role in the progression of kidney disease through regulation of signaling pathways, gene expression, cell proliferation, and fibrosis. In this review we define the term reactive oxygen metabolites, or oxidants, and discuss novel treatment modalities for diabetic and nondiabetic chronic kidney disease. Our emphasis here is on human studies and those agents that may have a direct or indirect link to oxidative stress and catalytic (labile) iron. SUMMARY: We believe that intercepting these pathways with one or more drugs may provide novel therapeutic modalities for halting progression of chronic kidney disease.
IntechOpen eBooks · 2024 · 3 citations · open access
Chronic Kidney Disease: Etiology, Pathophysiology, and Management Strategies to Increase Quality of Life
AbstractChronic kidney disease (CKD) refers to a variety of pathophysiologic conditions linked to poor kidney function and persistent reduction in glomerular filtration rate. According to the National Kidney Foundation’s guidelines, CKD can be classified based on the amount of glomerular filtration rate. There are numerous etiologies for the occurrence of CKD. Various medications used to treat CKD will include slowing the progression, which is medical treatment, as well as employing natural products. Many strategies can be used to improve the quality of life of a CKD patient. This book chapter will further discuss etiology, pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, investigation, and management of patients in renal replacement therapy and also usage of medication to increase the quality of life.
Kidney International Reports · 2020 · 1 citations · open access
SUN-115 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PROGRESSION AND OUTCOMES AMONG A POPULATION WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE STAGE 3-5
AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the natural history of chronic kidney disease with regard to progression to renal replacement therapy or death in a prospective patient population. Few studies are published concerning patterns of kidney function decline before initiation of chronic dialysis while decreasing trajectories can influence the outcomes of the following treatment.
Journal of Medicine and HealthCare · 2023 · 0 citations · open access
Advancements in Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment: A Comprehensive Review
AbstractChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue with a progressive decline in renal function over time. This comprehensive research paper reviews recent advancements in CKD treatment, focusing on emerging therapies, novel approaches, and their potential implications for patient care. The paper covers various aspects, including pharmacological interventions, renal replacement therapies, regenerative medicine, and precision medicine, shedding light on the promising developments in the field of CKD treatment.
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) · 2023 · 0 citations · open access
A systematic review on Eefooton: A natural formulation used to stop the progression of chronic kidney disease
AbstractChronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is an important global public health problem. More than 2 million people worldwide are estimated to be receiving treatment with dialysis or transplantation for chronic kidney failure, and this population has been growing at an approximate rate of 7% per year. A Case report recently published claimed that use of natural formulation (eefooton). After the Eefooton adjuvant therapy was finished, the patient was monitored for a further three months. Renal function of the patient was enhanced, and CKD progression was slowed down. Following Eefooton therapy, the patient's blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine concentrations dropped while the size of both kidneys rose by 8%. In addition, 2 months after therapy, a further decrease in BUN concentration was seen. This review gives an objective to the reserchers if the eefooton has potential benefits. After performing several literature reviews it was revealing that more research is required to prove the efficacy of eefooton on reversing CKD condition.
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.
