DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for hypogonadism — screening already-approved drugs against its 38-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleHypogonadism maps to a 38-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 hypogonadism 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
progesterone receptor (PGR) — PGR 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 14beta,17alphadrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 1SQN · 1.451 Å · ligand (14beta,17alpha)-17-ethynyl-17-hydroxyestr-4-en-3-one (NDR). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A 2014 review of phase II drugs for hypogonadism noted that while current testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is highly efficacious for many men, there remains a need for therapies that are more cost-effective, preserve ease of use, and closely mimic physiological testosterone levels. The review covered new delivery systems, formulations, routes of administration, and non-testosterone modalities then under phase II investigation. A 2025 narrative review confirmed that treatment strategies now vary by subtype — primary, secondary, and functional hypogonadism — and that the desire for fertility significantly influences the treatment protocol.
A 2025 German observational study of four million men aged 30–80 from 2014 to 2021 found that the prevalence of diagnosed primary hypogonadism (0.62%) exceeded that of secondary (0.16%) and functional hypogonadism (0.09%). Within the first year after diagnosis, testosterone therapy was initiated in 35.22% of primary, 36.60% of secondary, and 59.55% of functional hypogonadism patients. Untreated primary hypogonadism patients had higher work incapacity rates than treated patients (17.1% vs. 9.71%; p < 0.001), but treated patients had a higher incidence of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (24.0% vs. 17.7%; p < 0.001). Common comorbidities included hypertension, back pain, and dyslipidaemia.
A 2021 rat study of bladder outlet obstruction and hypogonadism found that orchiectomy increased Rho-kinase (ROCK-2) expression compared to obstruction alone (p < 0.01), and that testosterone treatment failed to reverse that up-regulation, though it tended to lower the level. The smooth muscle/collagen ratio was higher in the orchiectomy-plus-testosterone group than in the orchiectomy-alone group (p = 0.010). The authors concluded that alternating treatment approaches are warranted when hypogonadism and bladder outlet obstruction coexist.
A 2019 review stated that hormone replacement therapy in hypogonadism of different genesis is an effective treatment with the possibility of reversibility of changes in hormonal levels, and that the ultimate goal is improvement of quality of life — whether that means erectile function, general health, germinative function, or prevention of somatic complications. What remains missing are prospective trials that stratify patients by hypogonadism subtype and comorbidity profile, long-term safety data on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, and cost-effectiveness analyses of newer formulations versus existing testosterone preparations.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs · 2014 · 3 citations
Phase II drugs currently being investigated for the treatment of hypogonadism
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Hypogonadism is the most common endocrine disorder, which affects men of all age groups. Recent shifts in public awareness, increased screening and recognition of symptoms and updated diagnostic criteria have led to an increase in men diagnosed as hypogonadal, including middle-aged and older men who previously would have been considered eugonadal. The increase in testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) has paralleled an increase in advancements of treatment options. Although current therapies are highly efficacious for many men, there remains a need for newer therapies that are more cost-effective, preserve ease of use and administration, mitigate undesirable effects and closely mimic physiological levels of testosterone. AREAS COVERED: In this review, the authors discuss current TRTs and therapies in development for the treatment of hypogonadism. The focus is on therapies under Phase II investigation or those who have recently completed Phase II study. EXPERT OPINION: With several new therapies in development, the authors expect advancements in achieving treatment benchmarks that meet the needs of the individual symptomatic hypogonadal male. Increased public awareness of hypogonadism and TRT has led to a welcomed expansion in the choice of TRT options. These include new delivery systems, formulations, routes of administration and non-testosterone modalities.
Substitutional Hornotherapy in Sexological and Andrological Practices
AbstractHormone replacement therapy in hypogonadism of different genesis is an effective treatment with the possibility of reversibility of changes in hormonal levels. The earlier the signs of hypogonadism are verified, the more successful will be its correction, the goals of which will also differ depending on the different forms (congenital, acquired) of the given condition. The ultimate goal of adequate correction of hypogonadism of any genesis is to improve the quality of life of the patient, the essence of which in various forms of pathology may be different (improvement of erectile function, of health, of germinative function, prevention of somatic complications with a positive effect on the patient’s mental profile).
Diagnosis and management of male hypogonadism in Germany
AbstractBackground The extent to which male hypogonadism is diagnosed and treated remains ambiguous. This study scrutinizes the respective medical framework in Germany.Materials and methods This observational study retrospectively analyzes data from four million male state insurance clients, aged 30 to 80, from 2014 to 2021. It evaluates diagnostics related to hypogonadism prevalence, incidence, comorbidities, testosterone therapy (TTh) implementation, type 2 diabetes incidence, and work incapacity rates.Results According to the diagnoses, the prevalence of primary hypogonadism (0.62%) exceeded that of secondary (0.16%) and functional hypogonadism (0.09%), with both incidence and prevalence rising from 2015 to 2021. Common comorbidities included primary hypertension, back pain, and dyslipidemia. Within the first year post-diagnosis, TTh (via transdermal or intramuscular administration) was initiated in 35.22%, 36.60%, and 59.55% of patients with primary, secondary, and functional hypogonadism, respectively. Untreated primary hypogonadism patients had higher work incapacity rates compared to treated patients (17.1% vs. 9.71%; p < 0.001). Conversely, treated patients had a higher incidence of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (24.0% vs. 17.7%; p < 0.001).Conclusion Optimizing the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of male hypogonadism in clinical practice could enhance the quality of life for affected individuals and reduce societal costs.
TURKISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCES · 2021 · 0 citations · open access
The effect of testosterone replacement therapy on bladder functions, histology, apoptosis, and Rho-kinase expression in bladder outlet obstruction and hypogonadism rat model
AbstractBackground/aim: The effect of testosterone replacement therapy was investigated on bladder functions, histology, apoptosis as well as Rho-kinase expression in the rat bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and hypogonadism models. Materials and methods: 30 mature male rats divided into 4 groups: sham group (n = 8), BOO group (n = 8), BOO + orchiectomy group (n = 7), BOO + orchiectomy + testosterone (T) treatment group (n = 7). Cystometric findings, apoptosis index, Rho-kinase (ROCK-2) expression, and smooth muscle/collagen ratio were compared. Results: BOO did not change ROCK-2 expression level, compared to sham group (P > 0.05). However, when compared to BOO group (P < 0.01), BOO + orchiectomy led ROCK-2 increase. The testosterone treatment failed to reverse the up-regulation of ROCK-2 induced by orchiectomy although it tended to lower ROCK-2 level. Compared to sham group (P = 0.002), changes in maximal bladder capacity and leak point pressure were higher (P = 0.026, P = 0.001), and bladder compliance was lower in BOO group. Also, the apoptosis index was different between the two groups (P = 0.380). Smooth muscle/collagen ratio was higher in BOO + orchiectomy + T group than in BOO + orchiectomy group (P = 0.010). Conclusions: The research draws attention to alternating treatment approaches in case of the presence of hypogonadism and BOO.
Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Mecmuası · 2025 · 0 citations · open access
Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary, Secondary, and Functional Male Hypogonadism: A Narrative Review
AbstractMale hypogonadism refers to a condition characterized by reduced testosterone production or impaired sperm production. Traditionally, it was classified into two categories: congenital and acquired hypogonadism. However, with the emergence of the concept of functional hypogonadism, which develops as a result of chronic diseases, medications, or aging, male hypogonadism is now considered under three subtypes. The clinical manifestations and treatment strategies vary depending on the underlying cause of hypogonadism. Additionally, the desire for fertility significantly influences the treatment protocol. This systematic review examines the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to primary, secondary, and functional male hypogonadism.
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.
