DeCure's autonomous Dermatology AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for keratosis pilaris atrophicans — screening already-approved drugs against its 3-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleKeratosis pilaris atrophicans maps to a 3-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 keratosis pilaris atrophicans 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.
What the evidence adds up to
Keratosis pilaris atrophicans (KPA) is not a single disease but a skin symptom — keratinous plugs in follicular orifices followed by atrophy — that appears in several distinct clinical entities, according to a 1994 editorial. The authors distinguish keratosis pilaris atrophicans faciei, atrophoderma, and other overlapping syndromes, and note that many synonyms are used in the dermatologic and genetic literature. A 1993 case report describes a patient with tiny follicular keratotic papules on the limbs and trunk accompanied by profuse hair loss, diagnosed histologically as keratosis pilaris. The eruption cleared spontaneously in three months with complete hair regrowth, and no atrophy or scarring remained; the authors call this the first reported case of keratosis pilaris decalvans non-atrophicans.
A 2023 review states that keratosis pilaris (KP) is a common hyperkeratotic condition characterised by small folliculocentric papules with variable perifollicular erythema. KP represents a family of follicular disorders; KP simplex is by far the most common, and the spectrum of keratosis pilaris atrophicans is a rare subtype. Inherited mutations of the FLG gene and ABCA12 gene have been implicated. The review lists general cutaneous measures (hydrating skin, avoiding long baths, using mild soaps) and says topical keratolytic agents are first-line therapy, followed by topical retinoids and corticosteroids. Lasers and microdermabrasion are mentioned as recent options if the patient is refractory to topical therapy. No response rates, survival data, or sample sizes from controlled trials are given.
A 2020 study of 60 Iraqi patients diagnosed with keratosis pilaris rubra (KPR) found the age at onset ranged from birth to 8 years (mean 2.9 years). All 60 patients had facial involvement (cheeks), and all had involvement of the lateral aspects of the arms. Other sites included thighs and buttocks (51 patients, 85%), trunk (25, 41.6%), legs (22, 36.6%), and neck (15, 25%). Histopathological evaluation of 10 biopsies showed follicular plugging in all 10 and dilatation of superficial and deep vascular plexus in 75%. The authors note that most cases were misdiagnosed as dermatitis and that this is the largest study of KPR worldwide, but they report no follow-up data. No treatment outcomes are reported in this study.
What is still missing is any controlled trial data for treatments in KPA specifically, long-term follow-up of patients with the atrophic variants, and a clear genetic or molecular classification that separates the different KPA entities. Patient stratification by subtype and prospective studies of topical or laser interventions in KPA are absent.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Archives of Dermatology · 1994 · 43 citations
Keratosis Pilaris Atrophicans
AbstractIN this issue of theArchives, Baden and Byers<sup>1</sup>describe 21 cases of keratosis pilaris atrophicans (KPA). He considers KPA as one disease entity.<sup>1</sup>However, our opinion differs in view of the arguments presented here. Keratosis pilaris (KP) is a skin symptom associated with different diseases, mostly of ectodermal origin. By definition, keratinous plugs are observed in the follicular orifices surrounded by a variable degree of erythema. When the keratotic papules are followed by atrophy, one speaks of KPA. Atrophy is preceded with or without inflammation. There is much confusion on KP and KPA entities, especially because different overlapping syndromes have been described and many synonyms are used in both dermatologic and genetic literature.<sup>2-4</sup>In this editorial, we present our opinion and arguments on diseases with KPA. <h3>KERATOSIS PILARIS ATROPHICANS</h3> We distinguish four distinct clinical entities that show KPA. These are keratosis pilaris atrophicans faciei (KPAF), atrophoderma
Italian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology · 2023 · 8 citations
Keratosis pilaris: an update and approach to management
AbstractKeratosis pilaris (KP) is a common, hyperkeratotic skin condition characterized by small, folliculocentric papules with variable perifollicular erythema. We provide an updated review on the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and management of this common, and often annoying, finding. KP represents a family of follicular disorders, of which KP simplex is by far the most common. Other variants and rare subtypes include keratosis pilaris rubra, erythromelanosis follicularis faciei et colli, and the spectrum of keratosis pilaris atrophicans. Inherited mutations of the FLG gene and ABCA12 gene have been implicated etiologically. KP may be associated with ichthyosis vulgaris and palmar hyperlinearity, but less likely atopic dermatitis. Some potential differential diagnoses for KP include lichen spinulosus, phrynoderma, ichthyosis vulgaris, and trichostasis spinulosa. General cutaneous measures such as hydrating skin, avoiding long baths or showers, and using mild soaps or cleansers should be recommended. Topical keratolytic agents are first-line therapy, followed by topical retinoids and corticosteroids. Recent options include a variety of lasers and microdermabrasion if the patient is refractory to topical therapy.
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology · 1993 · 4 citations
Keratosis pilaris decalvans non-atrophicans
AbstractA patient is described who presented with an eruption of tiny follicular keratotic papules on the limbs and the trunk accompanied by profuse hair loss. Histologically, a diagnosis of keratosis pilaris was made. The eruption cleared spontaneously in 3 months with complete regrowth of hair. Neither atrophy nor scarring remained. This appears to be the first reported case of keratosis pilaris decalvans non-atrophicans.
American Journal of Dermatological Research and Reviews · 2020 · 0 citations · open access
Keratosis Pilaris Rubra Totalis: Clinical and Histopathological Study with New insights
AbstractBackground: Keratosis pilaris rubra (KPR) is a common but unrecognized follicular keratinizatioin. It is a common skin problem among Iraqi population and most cases were misdiagnosed as dermatitis as there are few reports in medical literature. Objective: To do full clinical and histopathological evaluation of KPR in Iraqi population. Patients and Methods: This is case descriptive, clinico-histopathological outpatient based study. It was done in the Center of Dermatology and Venereology, Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Medical City, Iraq during the period from March 2016 to October 2017. Sixty patients were enrolled in this study. History and dermatological examination were carried out for all patients. Skin biopsy was done for 10 patients for histopathological study using Hematoxylin and Eosin stain. Results: A total of the 60 patients were diagnosed as KPR during the study period. Thirty nine (65%) males and 21 (35%) females. The age at onset of disease ranged from since birth to 8 (2.9± 2.17) years . Facial involvement included the cheeks in 60 (100%) patients. Other sites of involvement included the arms where the lateral aspects involved in 60 (100%) patients and the medial aspect 11 (18.3%), thighs including the buttocks in 51 (85%), trunk 25 (41.6%), legs 22 (36.6%) and the neck 15 (25%).The rash was erythematous all over but most obvious on the sides of face presenting as red, rough face. Histopathological evaluation showed follicular plugging in (100%) with dilatation of both superficial and deep vascular plexus in (75%) of cases. Limitation: The main limitation of this study was the lack of follow up data related to the subject of the study. Conclusion: KPR is a common condition among Iraqi population and this study is the largest study carried out all over the world. As most areas of body are involved, the name keratosis pilaris rubra totalis is suggested.
British Journal of Dermatology · 1987 · 0 citations
(24) Keratosis pilarisatrophicans
AbstractJournal Article (24) Keratosis pilarisatrophicans Get access A. Myatt, A. Myatt The General Infirmary at Leeds Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar N.R. Rowell N.R. Rowell The General Infirmary at Leeds Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar British Journal of Dermatology, Volume 117, Issue s32, 1 June 1987, Pages 71–72, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2133.1987.tb12064.x Published: 01 June 1987
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.
