DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for corneal neovascularization — screening already-approved drugs against its 29-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleCorneal neovascularization maps to a 29-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
approvedDasatinibApproved drug
Structures already discussed alongside corneal neovascularization in the retrieved literature, rendered from public PubChem SMILES. Which drugs appear here reflects the evidence found, not a ranked prediction.
Molecular view
Crystal structure of EphA4 kinase domain — Dasatinib has a real, experimentally solved structure in complex with this target (PDB 2Y6O, 1.543 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 1n1drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 2Y6O · 1.543 Å · ligand Dasatinib (1N1). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Corneal neovascularisation affects more than 1.4 million people per year and can lead to scarring, oedema, lipid deposition, and persistent inflammation that worsens visual prognosis. Left untreated, it increases the risk of corneal graft rejection and causes opacifications. A 2019 review of the literature notes that current treatments — glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-VEGF drugs, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, natural extracts, laser therapy, fine needle diathermy, gene therapy, and various combinations — have achieved only partial success and may cause side effects. A 2023 review similarly catalogues diagnostic and therapeutic methods without reporting new trial data.
In a 2011 case report, one patient with corneal neovascularisation secondary to graft failure received same-day triple therapy: subconjunctival bevacizumab (1.25 mg), subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg), and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (fluence 50 J/cm², irradiance 300 mW/cm²). Complete angiographic regression of new vessels was seen from day 7. At three months an initial new-vessel sprout appeared, triple therapy was repeated, and no angiographic evidence of neovascularisation was detectable for the entire six-month follow-up. This is a single patient, no control.
A 2021 experimental study in 30 Sprague-Dawley rats compared topical bevacizumab 1%, topical cyclosporine 0.1%, and isotonic saline, each applied twice daily for 28 days after chemical cauterisation. Corneal opacity and oedema grades were significantly lower with cyclosporine than with saline (p=0.04 and 0.00, respectively). Histopathologically, cyclosporine produced significantly fewer blood vessels than saline (p=0.001) and more regular collagen formation than both bevacizumab and saline (p=0.03). Inflammation grades were significantly lower with both bevacizumab and cyclosporine than with saline (p=0.014 and 0.001, respectively). The authors state that topical cyclosporine 0.1% appeared more effective than topical bevacizumab in this rat model. No human comparative trial of these two agents is provided.
What is still missing are adequately powered, randomised controlled trials in human patients that directly compare topical cyclosporine with anti-VEGF agents, and that test triple or combination therapies against standard care with long-term follow-up beyond six months. Patient stratification by aetiology (inflammatory, post-graft, infectious) and by depth of vessels is not addressed in the available evidence. Funding for such trials, rather than further animal work or single-case reports, is the clear gap.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Romanian Journal of Ophthalmology · 2019 · 174 citations · open access
Corneal neovascularization: updates on pathophysiology, investigations & management
AbstractObjective. Corneal neovascularization is a sight-threatening condition affecting more than 1.4 million people per year. Left untreated, it can lead to tissue scarring, oedema, lipid deposition, and persistent inflammation that may significantly affect visual prognosis and quality of life. The aim was to review the recent evidence relating to the pathophysiology, investigations and management of corneal neovascularization. Methods. Literature review of prospective and retrospective studies, clinical trials and animal models relating to the pathophysiology, investigation and management of corneal neovascularization.
Dasatinib loaded nanostructured lipid carriers for effective treatment of corneal neovascularization
AbstractCorneal neovascularization (CNV) is one of the most important causes of visual impairment worldwide. Dasatinib, a poorly water-soluble tyrosine kinase inhibitor with dual Src family kinase and platelet derived growth factor receptor inhibiting capability, has great potential in the treatment of CNV. In this study, dasatinib was successfully encapsulated into a nanostructured lipid carrier (Dasa-NLC) and the size was approximately 78 nm with a small polydispersity index. The NLC increased the solubility of dasatinib by more than 1220 times, sustained the drug release, reduced the ocular toxicity and facilitated its penetration into the cornea. Dasa-NLC significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and tube formation of HUVEC cells, the three most important angiogenesis-related cellular changes of the CNV. Next, the in vivo anti-CNV effect of Dasa-NLC was evaluated using an alkaline burned mice CNV model, in which the development of the CNV and pathological changes of the cornea were significantly inhibited. The immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that Dasa-NLC could inhibit both the expression and activation of Src family kinase, a key component in the angiogenesis cascade. Therefore, Dasa-NLC showed considerable promise in the treatment of CNV.
European Journal of Ophthalmology · 2011 · 8 citations
Triple Therapy for Corneal Neovascularization: A Case Report
AbstractPURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the combination of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin and subconjunctival bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide on corneal neovascularization secondary to corneal graft failure. METHODS: A patient with extensive deep and superficial corneal neovascularization underwent same day triple therapy with subconjunctival bevacizumab (1.25 mg), subconjunctival triamcinolone acetonide (40 mg), and photodynamic therapy with verteporfin (fluence 50 J/cm², irradiance 300 mW/cm²). RESULTS: A complete angiographic new vessel regression was obtained and was discernible starting 7 days after combination therapy. Three months after treatment, an initial new-vessel sprout was noted. Triple therapy was then repeated. No angiographic evidence of corneal neovascularization was detectable for the entire 6-month follow-up duration. CONCLUSIONS: Triple therapy may offer a promising tool in the treatment of corneal neovascularization.
Arquivos Brasileiros de Oftalmologia · 2021 · 5 citations · open access
Comparison of the inhibitory effect of topical cyclosporine A 0.1% and topical anti-VEGF application in an experimental model of corneal neovascularization
AbstractPURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of topical cyclosporine 0.1% and bevacizumab on experimentally induced corneal neovascularization in a rat model. METHODS: A total of 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this experimental study. The central cornea of the rats was cauterized chemically. The rats were randomly enrolled into three groups as follows: Group 1 received bevacizumab 1%, Group 2 received cyclosporine 0.1%, and Group 3 received isotonic saline twice a day for 28 days. Slit-lamp examination of all rats was performed at the 3rd and 28th day. The rats were then sacrificed, and the corneas were excised. The number of blood vessels, state of inflammation, and collagen formation were evaluated histopathologically in the corneal sections. RESULTS: Corneal opacity and edema grades were significantly lower in Group 2 than in Group 3 (p=0.04 and 0.00, respectively). In the histopathological examination, Group 2 demonstrated significantly lesser number of blood vessels than Group 3 (p=0.001). Regarding collagen formation, Group 2 exhibited more regular collagen formation than Groups 1 and 3 (p=0.03). Inflammation grades were significantly lower in Groups 1 and 2 than in Group 3 (p=0.014 and 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: Topical bevacizumab is effective in inhibiting newly formed corneal neovascularization. The topical cyclosporine 0.1% treatment appears to be more effective than the topical bevacizumab treatment.
Russian Annals of Ophthalmology · 2023 · 1 citations
Methods of diagnosis and treatment of corneal neovascularization
AbstractCorneal neovascularization is one of the most common causes of decreased visual acuity and disability for vision loss, increase in the risk of corneal graft rejection, and appearance of opacifications on the cornea. This article reviews literature on etiological factors of the development of corneal neovascularization, as well as modern methods of diagnosis, conservative and surgical treatment of this pathology.
Therapeutic advances of corneal neovascularization
AbstractCorneal neovascularization can lead to corneal hyalinity, visual acuity decline or even loss, which occurs in various corneal diseases. At present, many methods and measures (such as the use of glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive agents, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anti-vascular endothelial gowth factor drugs, tyrosine kinase inhibitors, some natural extracts, laser therapy, fine needle diathermy, gene therapy, combination therapy, etc.) have been used to prevent and treat corneal neovascularization, and have achieved varying degrees of success. However, these treatments for corneal neovascularization are only partially effective and may lead to some side effects. This article aims to review the latest treatment of corneal neovascularization.(Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2019, 43: 332-336)
Key words:
corneal neovascularization; drug therapy; surgical treatment
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · 2021 · 0 citations · open access
Research progress of cells and molecules in corneal neovascularization
AbstractVarious ocular injuries can induce corneal neovascularization, which promote the development of diseases, causing corneal edema, impaired vision and even blindness. Therefore, with very important clinical significance, inhibiting corneal neovascularization can help to delay the progression of diseases and reduce corneal damage. This article will make the latest systematic discussion on the cells and molecules involved in corneal neovascularization, and analyze the possible inhibitory targets, hoping to provide references for scientific research and clinical practice.
[Progress in the therapy of corneal neovascularization].
AbstractCorneal neovascularization, a severe pathologic change of the ocular surface, is usually caused by complex pathogeneses, and leads to severe vision damage and eventually corneal blindness. The applications of anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic drugs as well as keratoplasty have proved to have certain therapeutic effects. However, there are still numerous barriers that have not yet been fully overcome, prompting a trend towards treatment with multidisciplinary techniques. In this review, we summarize the latest research progress and give an overview of the techniques and strategies for treatment of corneal neovascularization in recent years based on the new mechanistic findings, aiming to improve the therapeutic efficiency and precision.
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.
