DeCure's autonomous Nephrology AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for kidney disease — screening already-approved drugs against its 43-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleKidney disease maps to a 43-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 kidney 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
FKBP prolyl isomerase 1A (FKBP1A) — FKBP1A 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 4~{s},5~{r},6~{z},9~{s},10~{s},12~{e}drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 6I1S · 1.52 Å · ligand (4~{S},5~{R},6~{Z},9~{S},10~{S},12~{E})-16-(ethylamino)-4,5-dimethyl-9,10,18-tris(oxidanyl)-3-oxabicyclo[12.4.0]octadeca-1(14),6,12,15,17-pentaene-2,8-dione (E26). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A 2012 systematic review of GFR estimating equations found that neither the MDRD Study equation nor the CKD-EPI equation is optimal for all populations and GFR ranges. In 12 studies from North America, Europe, and Australia, the CKD-EPI equation performed better at higher GFRs (above about 60 mL/min per 1.73 m²) and the MDRD Study equation performed better at lower GFRs. In 5 of 8 studies from Asia and Africa, equations required modification with local coefficients. The review concluded that using a single equation for reporting requires a trade-off between performance at higher versus lower GFR ranges.
A 2017 systematic review of osteoporosis medications in patients with chronic kidney disease included 13 trials with 9850 participants. Among kidney transplant recipients, bisphosphonates may slow loss of bone mineral density (moderate strength of evidence), but their effects on fractures and safety in transplant recipients and other CKD patients are unclear. Raloxifene may prevent vertebral fractures but may not improve bone mineral density (low strength of evidence). Effects of teriparatide and denosumab on bone mineral density and fractures are unclear (very low strength of evidence), and these medications may increase risk for some safety outcomes. The review concluded that effects on bone mineral density, fracture risk, and safety are not clearly established.
A 2025 review discusses drug repurposing for CKD, listing drug classes such as inodilators, endothelin-1 type A receptor antagonists, bisphosphonates, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, DNA demethylating agents, NRF2 activators, P2X7 inhibitors, autophagy modulators, and hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors as potentially contributing against CKD. The review states that current frontline treatments are not uniformly effective and often come with significant side effects. It does not provide original trial data or quantitative outcomes for any of these repurposed candidates.
A 2020 study abstract notes that few studies have been published concerning patterns of kidney function decline before initiation of chronic dialysis, and that decreasing trajectories can influence outcomes of subsequent treatment. A 2023 comprehensive review covers pharmacological interventions, renal replacement therapies, regenerative medicine, and precision medicine but provides no new trial results. What remains missing are adequately powered randomised trials in patients with stage 3–5 CKD that measure hard endpoints such as progression to kidney failure or death, rather than surrogate markers, and that stratify patients by baseline kidney function, cause of disease, and comorbidity burden.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Annals of Internal Medicine · 2012 · 484 citations
Estimating Equations for Glomerular Filtration Rate in the Era of Creatinine Standardization
AbstractBACKGROUND: Clinical laboratories are increasingly reporting estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by using serum creatinine assays traceable to a standard reference material. PURPOSE: To review the performance of GFR estimating equations to inform the selection of a single equation by laboratories and the interpretation of estimated GFR by clinicians. DATA SOURCES: A systematic search of MEDLINE, without language restriction, between 1999 and 21 October 2011. STUDY SELECTION: Cross-sectional studies in adults that compared the performance of 2 or more creatinine-based GFR estimating equations with a reference GFR measurement. Eligible equations were derived or reexpressed and validated by using creatinine measurements traceable to the standard reference material. DATA EXTRACTION: Reviewers extracted data on study population characteristics, measured GFR, creatinine assay, and equation performance. DATA SYNTHESIS: Eligible studies compared the MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) Study and CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) equations or modifications thereof. In 12 studies in North America, Europe, and Australia, the CKD-EPI equation performed better at higher GFRs (approximately >60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2)) and the MDRD Study equation performed better at lower GFRs. In 5 of 8 studies in Asia and Africa, the equations were modified to improve their performance by adding a coefficient derived in the local population or removing a coefficient. LIMITATION: Methods of GFR measurement and study populations were heterogeneous. CONCLUSION: Neither the CKD-EPI nor the MDRD Study equation is optimal for all populations and GFR ranges. Using a single equation for reporting requires a tradeoff to optimize performance at either higher or lower GFR ranges. A general practice and public health perspective favors the CKD-EPI equation. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes.
Annals of Internal Medicine · 2017 · 116 citations
Benefits and Harms of Osteoporosis Medications in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease
AbstractBACKGROUND: Complications of chronic kidney disease (CKD) include weak bones and increased fracture risk. PURPOSE: To review the benefits and harms of osteoporosis medications (bisphosphonates, teriparatide, raloxifene, and denosumab) compared with placebo, usual care, or active control in terms of bone mineral density (BMD), fractures, and safety in patients with CKD. DATA SOURCES: PubMed and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from December 2006 through December 2016. STUDY SELECTION: Paired reviewers independently screened abstracts and full-text articles for English-language, randomized, controlled trials that had at least 6 months of follow-up; evaluated osteoporosis medications among patients with CKD; and reported on BMD, fractures, or safety (mortality and adverse events). DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers serially abstracted data and independently assessed risk of bias and graded the strength of evidence (SOE). DATA SYNTHESIS: There were 13 trials (n = 9850) that included kidney transplant recipients (6 trials), patients who had stage 3 to 5 CKD or were receiving dialysis (3 trials), or postmenopausal women with CKD (4 trials). Evidence showed that bisphosphonates may slow loss of BMD among transplant recipients (moderate SOE), but their effects on fractures and safety in transplant recipients and others with CKD are unclear. Raloxifene may prevent vertebral fractures but may not improve BMD (low SOE). Effects of teriparatide and denosumab on BMD and fractures are unclear (very low SOE), and these medications may increase risk for some safety outcomes. LIMITATION: Unclear rigor of evidence, possible reporting biases, and scant evidence among patients with stage 3 to 5 CKD. CONCLUSION: Effects of osteoporosis medications on BMD, fracture risk, and safety among patients with CKD are not clearly established. PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE: Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes.
Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology · 2025 · 6 citations
Repurposing the familiar: Future treatment options against chronic kidney disease
AbstractOBJECTIVES: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a serious health issue with rising morbidity and mortality rates. Despite advances in understanding its pathophysiology, effective therapeutic options are limited, necessitating innovative treatment approaches. Also, current frontline treatments that are available against CKD are not uniformly effective and often come with significant side effects. Therefore, identifying new therapeutic targets or improving existing treatments for CKD is crucial. Drug repurposing is a promising strategy in the drug discovery process that involves screening existing approved drugs for new therapeutic applications. KEY FINDINGS: This review discusses the pharmacological mechanisms and clinical evidence that support the efficacy of these repurposed drugs. Various drugs classes such as inodilators, endothelin-1 type A (ET-1A) receptor antagonists, bisphosphonates, mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) antagonists, DNA demethylating agents, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) activators, P2X7 inhibitors, autophagy modulators, hypoxia-inducible factor-prolyl hydroxylase inhibitors (HIF-PHI) are discussed that could remarkably contribute against CKD. SUMMARY: The review critically examines the potential for repurposing well-established drugs to slow the progression of CKD and enhance patient outcomes. This review emphasizes the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in advancing the field of drug repurposing, ultimately paving the way for innovative and effective therapies for patients suffering from CKD.
Kidney International Reports · 2020 · 1 citations · open access
SUN-115 CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE PROGRESSION AND OUTCOMES AMONG A POPULATION WITH CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE STAGE 3-5
AbstractThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the natural history of chronic kidney disease with regard to progression to renal replacement therapy or death in a prospective patient population. Few studies are published concerning patterns of kidney function decline before initiation of chronic dialysis while decreasing trajectories can influence the outcomes of the following treatment.
Journal of Medicine and HealthCare · 2023 · 0 citations · open access
Advancements in Chronic Kidney Disease Treatment: A Comprehensive Review
AbstractChronic kidney disease (CKD) is a global health issue with a progressive decline in renal function over time. This comprehensive research paper reviews recent advancements in CKD treatment, focusing on emerging therapies, novel approaches, and their potential implications for patient care. The paper covers various aspects, including pharmacological interventions, renal replacement therapies, regenerative medicine, and precision medicine, shedding light on the promising developments in the field of CKD treatment.
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.
