DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for epicondylitis — screening already-approved drugs against its 11-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleEpicondylitis maps to a 11-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 epicondylitis 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
sodium voltage-gated channel alpha subunit 9 (SCN9A) — SCN9A 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 rdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 7W9K · 2.2 Å · ligand O-[(R)-{[(2R)-2,3-bis(octadecanoyloxy)propyl]oxy}(hydroxy)phosphoryl]-L-serine (P5S). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A 2016 study of 56 patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis reported that three injections of autologous platelet lysate improved visual analogue scale pain scores and Mayo elbow scores at 1, 6, and 12 months, with all patients recovering normal elbow function by 12 months. A separate 2016 prospective study of 42 elbows (40 patients) with recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis found that autologous blood injection significantly improved VAS, Nirschl score, and grip strength at one year, with improvements in Nirschl and VAS scores sustained to three years; 21 elbows of 20 patients completed three-year follow-up.
A 2019 randomised trial of 30 subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis compared dextrose prolotherapy to methylprednisolone injection. Both groups showed significant VAS improvement at one month (mean difference 1.9±3.3 for prolotherapy, 1.5±1.9 for steroid). At three months, prolotherapy continued to improve (mean difference 4.4±2.9) while steroid did not change significantly (mean difference 1.9±3.4, p=0.6). Quick DASH scores followed the same pattern, with prolotherapy superior at three months (p=0.01). A 2011 quasi-experimental study of 120 patients with lateral epicondylitis of less than two weeks duration reported that steroid injection produced significantly better pain relief and grip strength at four weeks and three months compared to NSAIDs (diclofenac). A 2014 retrospective study of 356 patients with acute lateral epicondylitis compared an epicondylitis brace plus exercise and NSAIDs to steroid and anaesthetic injections plus exercise and NSAIDs. At three months, the brace group showed moderate, good, or full recovery in 18.5%, 32.5%, and 30.5% respectively, versus 33.2%, 13.7%, and 25.4% in the injection group. At six months, the brace group showed 17.2%, 41.1%, and 17.2% versus 28.3%, 1%, and 17.2% in the injection group.
A 2005 survey of general practitioners and physiotherapists in Sweden reported that a large number of treatment methods for chronic epicondylitis were in use, none of which was properly evidence-based and some of which were known to be ineffective. A 2024 systematic review of 27 studies with 1,958 patients concluded that a wide variety of treatments for recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis have promising efficacy in the short, medium, and long terms, but noted no clear consensus on the most favourable modality. What remains missing are adequately powered randomised controlled trials that directly compare the most promising injectable and non-injectable treatments head-to-head, with standardised outcome measures and longer follow-up, and that account for patient stratification by duration and severity of symptoms.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research · 2016 · 26 citations · open access
Autologous platelet lysate local injections for the treatment of refractory lateral epicondylitis
AbstractBACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of autologous platelet lysate (APL) local injections in reducing pain and improving function in patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis. METHODS: A total of 56 patients with refractory lateral epicondylitis were enrolled in this study. All the patients received three injections in one course of treatment. Subjective assessments include visual analog scale (VAS) pain score and Mayo elbow score before injection (baseline) and at 1, 6, and 12 months after injection. RESULTS: Significant differences were observed in VAS and Mayo scores at baseline and at 1, 6, and 12 months after injection. Overall, the injections of APL improved local symptoms and all the patients recovered to normal elbow function with 12 months follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Local injections of APL resulted in favorable clinical outcomes for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. APL could be clinically effective in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.
Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health Care · 2005 · 18 citations
Treatment practice in chronic epicondylitis: A survey among general practitioners and physiotherapists in Uppsala County, Sweden
AbstractOBJECTIVE: To investigate treatment practice among general practitioners (GPs) and physiotherapists (PTs) in chronic epicondylitis of 3 months' duration or more. DESIGN: Postal survey. SETTING AND SUBJECTS: All 129 GPs and all 77 PTs at 35 primary health care centres in Uppsala County, Sweden, received the questionnaire. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Proportion of responders using various treatments (five specified alternatives + open question). RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 70% of the GPs and 61% of the PTs. Ergonomic counselling, stretching, and orthotic devices were common, and used to a similar extent by GPs and PTs. Acupuncture was also common, but less so among GPs than PTs. Transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation was used by relatively few GPs and PTs. The open question revealed that dynamic exercise, particularly eccentric, was used by most PTs but only one GP. A majority of GPs prescribed sick leave and anti-inflammatory treatment with an NSAID or cortisone injections. CONCLUSION: A large number of treatment methods in chronic epicondylitis were reported, none of which is properly evidence-based and some of which are even known to be ineffective. There is a need for randomized controlled studies of potentially effective treatments in this condition.
Orthopedic Research and Reviews · 2019 · 18 citations · open access
<p>Is Dextrose Prolotherapy Superior To Corticosteroid Injection In Patients With Chronic Lateral Epicondylitis?: A Randomized Clinical Trial</p>
AbstractPurpose: To compare the efficacy of dextrose prolotherapy versus steroid injection in the treatment of patients with chronic lateral epicondylitis. Methods: Thirty subjects with chronic lateral epicondylitis were randomly assigned into two groups of hypertonic dextrose or methylprednisolone injection. Participants were assessed through Quick DASH and VAS scores, once before injection, and then after 1- and 3-months follow-up. Two patients were excluded due to not completing the follow-up timepoints. Results: In both groups VAS scores revealed significant improvement during the first month follow-up [mean difference (MD) = 1.9±3.3, versus 1.5±1.9 for the prolotherapy and steroid groups, respectively]. This declining trajectory continued at the third month visit in the prolotherapy group and MD reached 4.4±2.9, while it did not change remarkably in the steroid group (MD=1.9±3.4). In fact, comparing VAS scores between the 1st- and 3rd-month time points did not reveal a significant improvement in the steroid group ( p =0.6). Also, the Quick DASH index showed a similar pattern and improved remarkably in both groups during the first visit. However, only the efficacy in the prolotherapy group persisted after 3-month follow-up (MD = 9.5±21.6, p =0.044). One month after injections no preference between the two interventions was observed ( p =0.74 for VAS and 0.14 for Quick DASH score). However, the 3rd-month follow-up revealed a meaningful superiority ( p =0.03 for VAS and p =0.01 for Quick DASH score) favoring the prolotherapy method. Conclusion: Both methods were proven to be effective in the short-term treatment of chronic lateral epicondylitis, but dextrose prolotherapy seems to be slightly more efficacious than steroid injection over a longer period. Clinical trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials Database: IRCT20170311033000N3. Keywords: regenerative medicine, tennis elbow, methylprednisolone, prolotherapy
AbstractBACKGROUND: Lateral epicondylitis is a common cause of elbow pain that is generally self-limiting. For patients who have persistent symptoms refractory to conservative treatment, there is still no clear consensus on the most favorable treatment modality. The purpose of this systematic review was to synthesize the available literature regarding both nonoperative and operative treatment modalities for recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis (RLE) to provide insight into the efficacy of treatment options. METHODS: A systematic review was performed in accordance with the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines, where the PubMed, MEDLINE/Ovid, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Scopus databases were queried to identify studies evaluating treatment options for RLE. RESULTS: A total of 27 studies with 1,958 patients were included. Of the reviewed studies, there were a wide variety of treatments including platelet-rich plasma injections, percutaneous tenotomies, and various arthroscopic and open procedures. CONCLUSION: There are a wide variety of treatment modalities available for RLE that have promising efficacy in the short, medium, and long terms. A comprehensive approach combining evidence-based and patient-centered care is critical for effective management of refractory symptoms. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Balkan Medical Journal · 2016 · 8 citations · open access
Autologous Blood Injection Works for Recalcitrant Lateral Epicondylitis
AbstractBACKGROUND: Recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis may be a disabling condition. Treatment of this condition is still controversial. AIMS: In the present prospective study, we evaluated the long-term results of autologous blood injection for the treatment of recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. METHODS: A total of 42 elbows of 40 consecutive patients (28 female, 12 male) were enrolled in this prospective study. Seven patients left the study (3 patients moved to another city, 1 patient died in the second week due to a heart condition, 1 patient quit the study because of the resolution of pain in the fourth week and 2 patients did not agree to the second injection). Thirteen patients were lost to third year follow-up. Therefore, a total of 21 elbows of 20 patients with 3 years of follow-up were included in this study. The mean age of the patients was 47.25 years (range, 20-68 years). RESULTS: Visual analogue scale (VAS), Nirschl score and grip strength were significantly improved after injections when compared to before treatment. The best improvement in terms of grip strength, Nirschl score and VAS score was detected at the one year follow-up. The improvement in Nirschl and VAS score sustained until the third year. CONCLUSION: We suggest that autologous blood injection for the treatment of recalcitrant lateral epicondylitis is an effective, safe and successful procedure in the long-term.
The Professional Medical Journal · 2011 · 1 citations · open access
LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS
AbstractObjectives: To find out effectiveness of steroid injection for early management of lateral epicondylitis. Data Source: One hundred and twenty Patients of both genders presenting with unilateral lateral epicondylitis of less than two weeks duration reporting at Outpatient Department at Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Rawalpindi. Design of Study: Quasi experimental study. Setting: Out patient department of Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, which is the largest rehabilitation facility in the country at present offering a multidisciplinary approach in the management of disability and musculoskeletal disorders17. Period: 01 yrs. Results: Both groups had sixty cases each with a mean age of 35.1 ± 6.22 and 36.08 ± 5.98 respectively. There were 54(45 %) males and 66(55%) females. At four weeks and three months follow up assessments there was significant improvement in pain relief and pain free grip strength in the Group A(steroids) as compared to Group B (NSAIDs). Conclusions: Local steroid injection is an effective treatment with an advantage over nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Diclofenac). It results in a rapid and better relief of symptoms, which is sustained over a period of three months.
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine · 2014 · 0 citations · open access
Epicondylitis Band or Corticosteroid Injection for Lateral Epicondylitis Treatment?
AbstractObjectives: Comparison of the short and medium-term results of the epicondylitis brace with corticosteroid and local anesthetic injections for lateral epicondylitis. Methods: This was a retrospective and comparative study for the treatment of acute lateral epicondylitis. The patient groups A and B received two different treatments. There were 151 patients in Group A and 205 patients in Group B. Group A received the epicondylitis brace and Group B corticosteroid and local anesthetic injections. Both groups were also given stretch exercises and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Patients were assessed at weeks 1, 4, 12, and 24 and the Quick DASH scoring was performed on weeks 12 and 24. Results: At the 3rd month of treatment, Group A showed recovery rates of moderate, good and full in 18.5%, 32.5% and 30.5% respectively while these rates were 33.2%, 13.7% and 25.4% in Group B. The same rates at the end of months 6 were 17.2%, 41.1% and 17.2% in Group A and 28.3%, 1% and 17.2% in Group B. Conclusion: Combined treatment (physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) with an epicondylitis brace was more effective than combined treatment with steroid and local anesthetic injections in acute lateral epicondylitis.
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.
