DeCure's autonomous Respiratory AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for lower respiratory tract disease — screening already-approved drugs against its 36-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleLower respiratory tract disease maps to a 36-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 lower respiratory tract 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
histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) — HDAC7 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 tsndrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 3C10 · 2.0 Å · ligand TRICHOSTATIN A (TSN). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A 2017 retrospective comparison of surgical stabilisation of rib fractures against non-operative management in the National Trauma Databank found that the surgical group was older, had a higher percentage of respiratory disease, and higher Injury Severity Scores. Despite this, there was no difference in ventilator usage between groups. Propensity score matching showed a 12% decrease in mortality and a 13% decrease in pneumonia in the surgical group. Among patients aged 65 or older, mortality was significantly lower with surgery even though respiratory disease was more frequent in that group. The study is a single-institution retrospective comparison, not a randomised trial, and the control group came from a national database rather than from the same institution.
A 1993 review of bacterial respiratory tract pathogenesis describes three steps: adherence of microbes to mucosal surfaces, persistence through subversion of host defences, and a subsequent inflammatory response once the host detects infection. The review states that the purpose of studying pathogenesis is to identify molecular targets for therapy and prophylaxis. It does not report any clinical outcomes, drug trials, or patient data.
A 2025 single-centre retrospective review of 65 paediatric patients with vocal cord dysfunction classified them into four aetiology groups. Patients with central nervous system comorbidities, mainly hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, had the highest rate of tracheostomy at 72.7%. Most patients with peripheral nervous system conditions were managed conservatively (70.4%). Those with local events such as intubation history had significantly higher rates of surgical intervention and clinical recovery. Among idiopathic cases, sedation medication was considered a potential contributing factor in half of the patients. Mortality rates did not differ significantly between groups. The study is retrospective, from a single centre, and does not report any drug intervention or survival benefit from any pharmacological treatment.
What is still missing for lower respiratory tract disease is a randomised controlled trial of any drug or intervention specifically for this condition, any data on drug repurposing in this context, and any stratification of patients by molecular or microbial aetiology that could guide targeted therapy. The surgical study on rib fractures is not a drug trial, the pathogenesis review offers no clinical data, and the vocal cord dysfunction study concerns a different anatomical and aetiological entity.
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 the American College of Surgeons · 2017 · 55 citations
Surgical Stabilization of Rib Fractures: A Single Institution Experience
AbstractIn Brief BACKGROUND: Use of surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) has increased. Despite compelling small studies, many centers still struggle with determining criteria for intervention. We investigated the benefit of SSRF in our patients compared with nonoperative (NonOp) National Trauma Databank (NTDB) controls, specifically in the older population. STUDY DESIGN: We performed a retrospective comparison of trauma patients with ≥3 and >5 rib fractures, who underwent SSRF at a tertiary care level I trauma center, with nonoperatively managed NTDB controls from equivalent level I centers between 2007 and 2014. The main outcomes measures included mortality, pneumonia, length of stay (LOS), ICU LOS, ventilator use, and tracheostomy rates. RESULTS: Overall, SSRF patients were older, had a higher percentage of respiratory disease, and higher Injury Severity Scores (ISS). Despite more respiratory disease in SSRF patients vs NonOp (p < 0.0001), there was no difference in ventilator usage. Results of SSRF included decreases in mortality (12%, p = 0.008) and pneumonia (13%, p < 0.001) compared with NonOp on propensity score matching. On subgroup analysis of patients 65 years of age or older, ISS was higher in the SSRF group. Mortality was significantly lower for SSRF vs NonOp, even with higher frequency of respiratory disease within the group (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who underwent SSRF at our institution had improved outcomes despite a higher percentage of respiratory disease, compared with patients who were managed nonoperatively nationwide. Mortality rates improved for patients aged 65 and older, suggesting that this patient population may benefit more from SSRF. Patients who underwent surgical stabilization of rib fractures had decreased pneumonia and mortality rates despite having higher mean Injury Severity Score and higher percentage of respiratory disease when compared with nonoperatively managed patients nationwide. When excluding moribund patients, surgical stabilization of rib fracture patients also had decreased ICU and ventilator use.
Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine · 2006 · 47 citations
Treatment of early Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in patients with cystic fibrosis
AbstractPURPOSE OF REVIEW: While Pseudomonas aeruginosa continues to be the major pathogen in cystic fibrosis lung disease, there is increasing evidence that antibiotic therapy initiated early after the onset of infection is an effective strategy to postpone chronic P. aeruginosa infection. There are also studies showing that early treatment can eradicate the organism in the majority of cases. RECENT FINDINGS: While comparative data for different treatment strategies are currently lacking, inhaled antibiotic therapy alone or in combination with ciprofloxacin has been shown to be efficacious. So far eradication of P. aeruginosa has not been associated with an increased risk of airway infection with other pathogens, but these studies have been performed in small cohorts. Additional information is also needed to clarify the optimal form and duration of therapy. Currently, there are two large studies ongoing to resolve some of these issues. SUMMARY: There is sufficient evidence that early antibiotic therapy against P. aeruginosa can clear the bacteria from the respiratory tract. While the negative effects of chronic P. aeruginosa infection are well documented, long-term benefits of this intervention on lung function is lacking. Observational studies suggest, however, that early intervention therapy is both beneficial and cost effective for cystic fibrosis patients.
Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology · 2011 · 14 citations · open access
Efeitos agudos do ultrassom terapêutico de 1-MHz na desobstrução nasal de indivíduos com rinossinusite crônica
AbstractUNLABELLED: Low-intensity ultrasound therapy (LIUST) has been described as a plausible treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). AIMS: To evaluate the short-term effects of continuous 1MHz LIUST on nasal obstruction in subjects with CRS. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A cohort placebo-controlled study comprising 26 CRS adults (10 men, 16 women), sequentially allocated into two groups: control-placebo (CP, n= 12) and treated with LIUST (US, n = 14). The treatment consisted of: ISATA = continuous 1MHz, 1W.cm-2 for four minutes in the maxillary sinuses and nasal septum. The equipment was switched off in the CP group. The degree of obstruction was assessed by the total volume of secretion expelled (VSEx) after nasal instillation of 5 mL saline solution (NaCl-0.9%) followed by nasal lavage. The volume of expired air (VEA) was assessed with a Glatzel mirror. RESULTS: The data showed an increase (p < 0.01) in VSEx and VEA after ultrasound therapy, suggesting a 64% improvement of nasal obstruction compared with the CP group. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous LIUST reduced nasal obstruction and congestionç it may be used effectively in the respiratory therapy of CRS patients.
Preliminary Clinical Study with Amoxycillin (BRL 2333) in Complicated Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Abstract30 mainly hospitalised patients with complicated infections of the lower respiratory tract were treated with amoxycillin (BRL 2333) in dosages of 3 times 375 or 500 mg daily. The efficacy of the product was noted and in most patients the pathogenic organisms were eradicated from the sputum. The tolerance of amoxycillin was good and in only two cases, the therapy had to be discontinued (nausea, vomiting, and in one of these, an exanthema also occurred.
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases · 1993 · 1 citations
Pathogenesis of bacterial respiratory infections
AbstractThe steps in the pathogenesis of bacterial respiratory tract disease include adherence of microorganisms to mucosal secretions and epithelia, persistence of microbes within the tract by subversion of host defenses, and a subsequent inflammatory response when the host detects that the airway is infected. There are many host and microbial factors at play in each of these steps in a given infection. The purpose of studying pathogenesis is not only to further understand the biology of microbial disease, but also to precisely identify potential molecular targets for therapy and prophylaxis.
Etiologies and clinical outcomes in pediatric vocal cord dysfunction: A single-center retrospective review
AbstractBACKGROUND: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) encompasses diverse etiologies in pediatric patients, causing various symptoms that can even be life-threatening. Although existing literature often categorizes VCD by side of involvement, exploring underlying etiologies may offer a more comprehensive understanding of the disorder. METHODS: A total of 65 pediatric patients diagnosed with VCD via flexible bronchoscopy between January 2018 and December 2022 were enrolled, with follow-up extending from diagnosis until December 2022. Characteristics including demographic data, precursor events, clinical and imaging presentations, along with interventions and prognostic outcomes, were analyzed and compared across various potential etiology groups of VCD. RESULTS: Patients were classified into four groups based on potential etiologies of VCD. Patients with central nervous system (CNS) comorbidities (n = 11), mainly hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) (n = 8), had the highest rate of tracheostomy (72.7 %). In contrast, most with peripheral nervous system (PNS) conditions (n = 27), including iatrogenic events and cardiovocal syndrome, were managed conservatively (70.4 %). Those with local events (n = 17), such as intubation history and granulations, had significantly higher rates of undergoing surgical interventions and achieving clinical recovery (both P < 0.05). Among idiopathic cases, sedation medication was considered a potential contributing factor in half (n = 5 out of 10) of the patients. Mortality rates did not differ significantly among the groups. CONCLUSION: Etiology-based clinical evaluation and management are essential for promoting long-term outcomes in these patients. Conservative treatment is recommended in patients with consistent respiratory health.
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.
