DeCure's autonomous Cancer AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for lung adenoid cystic carcinoma — screening already-approved drugs against its 7-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleLung adenoid cystic carcinoma maps to a 7-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 lung adenoid cystic carcinoma 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
lysine demethylase 6A (KDM6A) — KDM6A 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 e7zdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 6FUL · 1.649 Å · ligand 1-methyl-5-oxidanyl-4-oxidanylidene-pyridine-2-carboxylic acid (E7Z). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
In a retrospective study of 50 patients who had radical surgery for primary salivary gland adenoid cystic carcinoma between 1982 and 2006, 20 developed distant metastases at a median free interval of 3 years. Nine of those patients underwent complete lung metastasectomy for isolated lung recurrence. Mean survival after distant metastases appeared was 72 months in the metastasectomy group and 62 months in the 11 patients who did not have resection. The authors concluded that the impact of complete lung metastasis resection on the course of the disease is yet to be determined. A separate case report of a 42-year-old man with nasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma who received concurrent chemoradiation and later developed lung metastasis treated with platinum-based chemotherapy provides no survival data beyond one year of follow-up.
A phase III, multicentre, non-randomised, single-arm, open-label trial tested intratumoral injection of para-toluenesulfonamide (PTS) in eight hospitalised patients with pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinoma causing severe central airway obstruction. At baseline the mean airway obstruction rate was 86.1%. The airway objective response rate at day 30 was 100%, with 33.3% complete remission and 66.7% partial remission. Average airway obstruction decreased from 83.1% to 14.4%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 50.0%, with median survival of 4.98 years. Four patients (50.0%) had stable disease. Adverse events occurred in 75% of patients, all rated mild or moderate; no serious adverse events were reported. The study had no control arm.
A case report of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the bronchus in a 14-year-old girl notes that no double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre treatment data are available. The report states that surgery is considered the cornerstone of treatment and that adjuvant radiotherapy has been found beneficial for prolonged survival, but that prognosis remains unpredictable and uncertain despite best evidence-based treatment.
A 2023 review of primary tracheal tumours states that adenoid cystic carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma account for about two-thirds of these rare tumours. The review notes that unresectable, recurrent and metastatic tumours may require systemic treatments, but that the poor response to available chemotherapy and the lack of other real therapeutic alternatives affects quality of life and outcome. It suggests that targeted therapy against driver mutations could constitute an alternative, but presents only preliminary data.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery · 2008 · 66 citations
Lung metastasis resection of adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands☆
AbstractBACKGROUND: Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare tumour originating from the exocrine mucous glands, known for its high propensity for distant metastases. The value of lung metastasis resection from adenoid cystic carcinoma of salivary glands origin is evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients undergoing surgery for primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary glands between 1982 and 2006. Patients were excluded who had primary tumour macroscopic incomplete resection or were lost at follow-up. From a database of 50 eligible patients, 27 were identified as having presented a tumour recurrence during follow-up; in 20 it was first diagnosed in the form of distant metastases, and in 7 in the form of loco-regional recurrence. Nine patients who presented isolated lung recurrence underwent complete lung metastasectomy. Demographic data, pathologic characteristics and operative and postoperative record were reviewed, as well as updated survival. RESULTS: Twenty-six men and 24 women with a median age of 57 years (range 33-79) underwent radical surgery for adenoid cystic carcinoma during the study period. In 20 patients, at a median free interval time of 3 years (range 1-12), a distant metastasis relapse was observed. Nine patients with a median free interval time of 5 years (range 1-12) underwent lung metastasectomy: five had single metastasis resection, one multiple mono-pulmonary and three multiple and bilateral. In six of these patients a new disease recurrence was noted: four patients underwent further lung metastasectomy, but in all of them progression of the disease was observed. Mean survival of the population as a whole resulted as being 16 years (SE=1.4) with an actuarial survival of 77% at 5 years, 66% at 10 years and 56% at 15 years. Mean survival of patients having presented with distant metastases resulted as being 11 years (SE=2.2). Mean survival after appearance of distant metastases resulted as being 72 months (SE=15.8) in the 9 patients treated by metastasectomy, and 62 months (SE=15.1) in the 11 who did not have metastasis resection. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with adenoid cystic carcinoma could be frequently encountered with disease recurrence confined to the lung. The impact of complete lung metastasis resection on the course of the disease, however, is yet to be determined.
Advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix: a case report and review of the literature
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Adenoid cystic carcinoma is a malignant epithelial neoplasm derived from the salivary glands. Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix is extremely rare, accounting for less than 1% of all cervical carcinomas. In this paper we report a case of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma and a review of the related literature. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68 year-old woman was admitted with signs and symptoms suggestive of a cervical cancer. The radiological and pathological investigations confirmed the diagnostic of primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the cervix at Stage IIIB according to the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics classification. The patient was managed successfully by concurrent chemo-radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: The optimal management of adenoid cystic carcinoma cannot be established for certain. From our case and from the literature, it appears that combined treatment (surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy) is necessary for achieving a long-term remission. Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy appears to be a logical option for locally advanced disease.
Journal of Thoracic Disease · 2018 · 13 citations · open access
Effects of para-toluenesulfonamide intratumoral injection on pulmonary adenoid cystic carcinoma complicating with severe central airway obstruction: a 5-year follow-up study
AbstractPulmonary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare type of non-small cell lung carcinoma that may develop life-threatening severe malignant airway obstruction (SMAO). Currently, limited therapeutic approaches exist for ACC-SMAO. We investigated the efficacy and safety of para-toluenesulfonamide (PTS) intratumoral injection for ACC-SMAO. In this phase III, multicenter, non-randomized, single-arm, openlabel trial, we recruited eight hospitalized patients with ACC-SMAO between October 2009 and January 2011. Within the first year, patients received PTS injection for 2-3 sessions weekly, with 2 weeks as a single course. Pre-and post-treatment assessments, including vital sign assessment, dyspnea index, chest computed tomography (CT), were performed shortly before PTS injection and at day 30 post-treatment. We extended the observation to 5 years to determine overall survival. The primary endpoint was the CT-assessed airway objective response rate (ORR) at day 30. The key secondary endpoint was the overall survival (OS) at 5 years post-treatment. At baseline, mean airway tumor cross-sectional area was 153.3 mm 2 (n=8), and the mean airway obstruction rate was 86.1%. The airway ORR reached 100% (33.3% complete remission and 66.7% partial remission). PTS treatment reduced the airway tumor size from 158.2 to 22.7 mm 2 and the average airway obstruction rate decreased from 83.1% to 14.4% (n=6). The 5-year overall survival rate was 50.0%. Median survival duration was 4.98 years (range, 1.39-5.00 years). Four patients (50.0%) had stable disease. Compared with baseline dyspnea index, the transitional dyspnea index increased significantly at 30 days after treatment (mean difference: 5.40; 95% CI, 0.31-10.49; P<0.05). Adverse events were reported in 75% of patients (n=6), of whom 33.3% (n=2) and 66.7% (n=4) were rated as mild and moderate, respectively. No SAE was reported. In conclusion, PTS could rapidly debulk ACC-SMAO, resulting in considerable improvement of five-year survival rate.
BMJ Case Reports · 2010 · 10 citations · open access
Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the bronchus in a female teenager
AbstractPrimary adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the lung is an extremely rare malignant lung neoplasm. ACC of salivary glands of the head and neck, lachrymal glands, breast, skin, vulva and trachea have been frequently reported disease patterns in the literature, but it is unique to see this rare lung tumour in a patient as young as 14 years old. No double blind placebo, multicentre treatment data are available. Surgery is considered as the cornerstone of the treatment. Prognosis is variable and adjuvant radiotherapy has been found beneficial for prolonged survival. Our report of primary lung ACC in a young girl is a complex case due to young age, a different way of presentation and staging on diagnosis. It has been a quite challenging clinical scenario for the multidisciplinary lung cancer treating team involved in the clinical care. Prognosis remains unpredictable and uncertain despite the best present day evidence-based treatment.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2023 · 8 citations · open access
Molecular Biology and Therapeutic Targets of Primitive Tracheal Tumors: Focus on Tumors Derived by Salivary Glands and Squamous Cell Carcinoma
AbstractPrimary tracheal tumors are rare, constituting approximately 0.1-0.4% of malignant diseases. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) account for about two-thirds of these tumors. Despite most primary tracheal cancers being eligible for surgery and/or radiotherapy, unresectable, recurrent and metastatic tumors may require systemic treatments. Unfortunately, the poor response to available chemotherapy as well as the lack of other real therapeutic alternatives affects the quality of life and outcome of patients suffering from more advanced disease. In this condition, target therapy against driver mutations could constitute an alternative to chemotherapy, and may help in disease control. The past two decades have seen extraordinary progress in developing novel target treatment options, shifting the treatment paradigm for several cancers such as lung cancer. The improvement of knowledge regarding the genetic and biological alterations, of major primary tracheal tumors, has opened up new treatment perspectives, suggesting the possible role of biological targeted therapies for the treatment of these rare tumors. The purpose of this review is to outline the state of knowledge regarding the molecular biology, and the preliminary data on target treatments of the main primary tracheal tumors, focusing on salivary-gland-derived cancers and squamous cell carcinoma.
[Four Cases Report on Primary Lung Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma].
AbstractBACKGROUND: Lung adenoid cystic carcinoma is a kind of rare lung cancer. Diagnosis and treatment is not enough understandable for them. We collected and analyzed 4 cases of lung adenoid cystic carcinoma for broadening the sight of this disease. METHODS: Retrospectively analysed the 4 cases we collected from Hunan Cancer Hospital Between January 2012 and December 2016. We depicted the pathology, immunohistochemical, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) arrangement in these cases. And the methods of the diagnosis and treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Lung adenoid cystic carcinoma is usually located in the airway, EGFR mutation and ALK arrangement is rare in this disease. Generally the metastasis of the lung cancer occurred in the advanced stage. The prognosis is good if the mass could be resected completely. CONCLUSIONS: Diagnosis of the lung adenoid cystic carcinoma depends on pathological experiments, surgery is the main treatment in the early stage, radiotherapy and chemotherapy is an advisable therapy in the advanced stage. And the prognosis of this kind of lung cancer is better than small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.
DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · 2015 · 1 citations
Dramatic Tumor Shrinkage of Locally Advanced and Inoperable Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma after Intra-arterial Chemotherapy
AbstractAdenoid cystic carcinoma is rare and usually arises in the salivary glands. It grows slowly, but is characterized by easy perineural invasion with local infiltration and distant metastasis. In metastatic setting, the efficacy of intravenous chemotherapy is limited. Herein, we report one male patient who had a advanced, inoperable adenoid cystic carcinoma with lung metastasis, presenting with right buccal unhealed ulcer, pain and poor intake, whose loco-regional tumors responded dramatically after intra-arterial chemotherapy and his symptoms were almost completely relieved. We also make a literature review for treatment of adenoid cystic carcinoma.
Batna Journal of Medical Sciences (BJMS) · 2023 · 0 citations · open access
Nasopharynaeal adenoid cystic carcinoma, a rare disease. A case report and literature review
AbstractNasopharyngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma is a rare tumor. Compared with other nasopharyngeal tumors, it is characterized by its slow evolution but is locally aggressive and has a high tendency to recurrence. Due to the rarity of cases, no consensus exists about treatment approaches. We report the case of 42-year-old man with a locally advanced adenoid cystic carcinoma. The patient received concurrent chemoradiation and had a good response. After one year, he developed lung metastasis and received platin-based chemotherapy. The aim of this work is to review the literature concerning this rare malignancy and discuss treatment approaches, both for initial management and locoregional/metastatic relapses.
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.
