DeCure's autonomous AMR AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for fungal lung infectious disease — screening already-approved drugs against its 20-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleFungal lung infectious disease maps to a 20-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 fungal lung infectious 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 1 group D member 2 (NR1D2) — NR1D2 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 hemdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 3CQV · 1.9 Å · ligand PROTOPORPHYRIN IX CONTAINING FE (HEM). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
Invasive fungal infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients, with a mean incidence of 8.6% across studies. The majority of these infections are caused by Aspergillus and Candida species. In a retrospective analysis of 103 cases of invasive pulmonary fungal infection, Candida albicans accounted for 57.3% of cases and Aspergillus species for 32%, and the overall mortality was 20.4%. The main risk factors identified were COPD, bronchial lung cancer, and abuse of antibiotics. Detection of galactomannan in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, when combined with a compatible clinical illness, is highly suggestive of invasive aspergillosis in lung transplant recipients, though serum galactomannan has poor sensitivity in this population.
For chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, surgical treatment in a specialised centre has been reported with a success rate of 98.28% among 124 patients who underwent surgery between 2023 and 2024. The most common clinical symptom was haemoptysis (75.8%), and the most frequent co-morbid lung disease was pulmonary tuberculosis (47.6%). Lobectomy was the most common procedure for moderate to severe haemoptysis (85.7% of cases). The median hospital stay was 8–12 days, and the complication rate was under 10%. Four severe cases requested discharge. The authors note that surgery should be performed in specialised centres with experienced surgeons.
Newer antifungal agents with broader activity and more tolerable side effect profiles are available for treatment and prophylaxis. For voriconazole specifically, monitoring of drug concentrations may be advisable to prevent clinical failure from underdosing and toxicity from excessive dosing. No controlled trial data comparing antifungal regimens or surgical versus medical management in these populations are presented in these abstracts. What remains missing are prospective, randomised trials that stratify patients by fungal species, immune status, and extent of lung disease, as well as funding for such 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.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine · 2008 · 46 citations
Fungal infections in lung transplant recipients
AbstractPURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite numerous advances in lung transplantation, survival is still significantly compromised by a higher rate of infections. This review intends to provide an overview of the most common fungal infections afflicting lung transplant recipients, focusing on the most recent developments in diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis. RECENT FINDINGS: Although detection of galactomannan in serum has poor sensitivity for the diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis in lung transplant recipients, detection of galactomannan in the bronchoalveolar lavage of a lung transplant recipient, with a compatible clinical illness, is highly suggestive of invasive disease. New antifungal agents, with a broader spectrum of activity and a more tolerable side effect profile, have become available for the treatment and prophylaxis of fungal infections. Evidence suggests that, at least for voriconazole, monitoring of drug concentrations may be advisable to prevent clinical failure due to underdosing and toxicity due to excessive dosing. SUMMARY: Fungal infections remain a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in lung transplant recipients; however, advances have been made in the recent years, which will allow earlier diagnosis and more effective and tolerated treatment.
Annals of Translational Medicine · 2020 · 26 citations · open access
Infection prophylaxis and management of fungal infections in lung transplant
AbstractLung transplantation has emerged as a lifesaving treatment for a wide range of advanced lung diseases. While the survival of lung transplant recipients continues to improve, infectious complications contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality following lung transplantation. The incidence of invasive fungal infections is variable, with a mean occurrence of 8.6%. The majority of fungal infections in lung transplant recipients are caused Aspergillus and Candida species. This review provides an update in the current approaches for the diagnosis, management and prevention of fungal infections and the late complications that are associated.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine · 2011 · 24 citations
Update on infectious complications following lung transplantation
AbstractPURPOSE OF REVIEW: Lung transplantation is an important therapeutic treatment for many patients with life-threatening pulmonary diseases; however, long-term survival is still relatively limited compared with other solid organ transplants. Over the last year, several articles have been published helping to increase our knowledge of infections in lung transplant recipients. In particular, important new information has been published recently regarding cytomegalovirus (CMV) and fungal infections following lung transplantation. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent studies indicate prolonged (≥12 months) antiviral prophylaxis for CMV after lung transplant may be beneficial in high-risk transplant recipients. Epidemiologic studies show invasive fungal infections are increasingly being recognized following solid organ transplantation, particularly with Aspergillus and Candida species. Pulmonary infections with CMV and Aspergillus are likely contributors to the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). SUMMARY: Lung transplantation has many potential posttransplant complications with infection being a major contributor. More information has become available regarding CMV prophylaxis, CMV treatment, pulmonary fungal infection epidemiology, and the role of both CMV and Aspergillus on the development of BOS, which helps toward the goal of increasing long-term survival in lung transplant recipients.
AbstractObjective: To analyze the clinical features of invasive pulmonary fungal infection (IPFI), and to explore the prevention and treatment of IPFI. Methods: Clinical data of 103 cases with IPFI diagnosed in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Results: COPD, bronchial lung cancer, and the abuse of antibiotics were the main risk factors of IPFI, among which Candida albicans accounted for 57.3% and Aspergillus species accounted for 32%in all cases. The mortality of IPFI patients was 20.4%. Conclusions: IPFI is a secondary pulmonary infection because of variety of predisposing factors, and its mortality rate is high. Early diagnosing, effective treatment for the fungus and enhancing the nutrition are good for IPFI.
Tạp chí Phẫu thuật và Tim mạch và Lồng ngực Việt Nam · 2025 · 0 citations · open access
Results of surgical treatment for chronic pulmonary aspergillosis at the National Lung Hospital 2023-2024
AbstractIntroduction: Chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis (CPA) is a condition where Aspergillus infection invades and develops chronically, gradually destroying lung structures. Surgical intervention is indicated for most patients with localized fungal lesions and severe, persistent, life-threatening hemoptysis. This study aims to evaluate the outcomes of surgical treatment for chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis at the National Lung Hospital from 2023 to 2024. Methods: This was a retrospective, cross-sectional descriptive study. It included 124 patients diagnosed with chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis who underwent surgical treatment at the National Lung Hospital from January 2023 to June 2024. Data were analyzed using Stata software. Results: Among 124 patients with chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis, 115 cases received conventional surgery and 9 underwent emergency surgery. There were 72 male patients (58.1%) and 52 female patients (41.9%). The average age was 53±14 years. The primary clinical symptom was hemoptysis (75.8%). The most common co-morbid lung disease was pulmonary tuberculosis, affecting 59 patients (47.6%). Lobectomy was the most frequent indication for moderate to severe hemoptysis, accounting for 85.7% of cases. The median duration of drainage was 5-6 days, and the median hospital stay was 8-12 days. The complication rate was under 10%, and the success rate was 98.28%. Four severe cases requested discharge. Conclusion: Surgical treatment for chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis is considered to have acceptable complication rates and should be performed in in specialised centres with experienced surgeons to manage and treat chronic pulmonary Aspergillosis, helping patients achieve complete recovery and improved quality of life without symptoms.
Fungal Diseases of the Lung Edited by George A. Sarosi and Scott F. Davies. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press, 1993. 351 pp., illustrated. $95
AbstractJournal Article Fungal Diseases of the Lung Edited by George A. Sarosi and Scott F. Davies. 2nd ed. New York: Raven Press, 1993. 351 pp., illustrated. $95 Get access John P. Utz John P. Utz School of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic PubMed Google Scholar Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 19, Issue 4, October 1994, Page 819, https://doi.org/10.1093/clinids/19.4.819 Published: 01 October 1994
Microbiological surveillance after lung transplant: focus on fungi
Abstract<b>Background</b>: Fungal infection is a common complication after lung transplant (LuTx). Our study aims to assess the role of microbiological surveillance for optimizing antifungal treatment. <b>Methods</b>: This was a monocentric retrospective study including all adult patients who underwent LuTx between January 2019 and December 2022 and survived at least 90 days. Our routine survellaince consists of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) at 3, 6, 12 months after LuTx and then every 12 months. We use universal prophylaxis with voriconazole for the first 6 months after LuTx (exceptions are made in case of hepatotoxicity) and then shift to itraconazole if BAL is negative for fungi. <b>Results</b>: 86 patients were considered. 302 BALs were performed during the period of interest, 29 were positive for fungi, with a total of 35 isolates, as reported in image 1. Based on these findings, 8 patients needed a change in their antifungal therapy, see image 1 for details. We report 2 false positives: patients were completely asymptomatic with no radiological sign; therefore, they underwent another CT scan and BAL, both negative. <b>Conclusion</b>: Our study shows the significance of microbiological surveillance in detecting fungi in patients otherwise asymptomatic and its key role in guiding prompt therapeutic changes. Nevertheless, fungal growth in BAL alone is not sufficient in driving a major therapeutic change and has to be complemented with clinical and radiological findings.
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.
