DeCure's autonomous Rare AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for polycythemia — 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 modulePolycythemia 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 polycythemia 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
carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 2, aspartate transcarbamylase, and dihydroorotase (CAD) — CAD 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 4sdrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 6HFQ · 1.14542458871 Å · ligand (4S)-2,6-DIOXOHEXAHYDROPYRIMIDINE-4-CARBOXYLIC ACID (DOR). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
A 1942 case report describes chorea as a neurological complication of polycythemia vera, noting that headaches and vertigo were the most common neurological symptoms in a series of 10 patients. The report does not provide any treatment data. A 2013 letter confirms that chorea has been reported in patients with polycythemia vera and identifies JAK2V617F as a molecular marker used for diagnosis, but again offers no therapeutic information.
A 1979 study in rats found that 24% of offspring developed polycythemia after maternal exposure to a combination of methylmercury chloride, ethylurea, and sodium nitrite during pregnancy. The condition included elevated haematocrits, white and red blood cell counts, splenomegaly, and bone marrow hyperplasia with megakaryocytosis, features described as similar to human polycythemia vera. No human treatment data are provided.
A 2025 retrospective study of 1196 elective non-cardiac surgeries found that 44 patients (3.7%) had preoperative polycythemia. These patients had the highest rate of a composite 30-day postoperative outcome of death, thrombosis, major bleeding, or red blood cell transfusion: 18.2%, compared to 9.2% in anaemic patients and 6.9% in those with normal haemoglobin (P=0.016). Postoperative bleeding occurred in 18.2% of polycythemia patients versus 7.9% in anaemic and 6.5% in normal patients (P=0.011). No deaths or thrombotic events occurred in the polycythemia group. The associations remained significant after multivariate adjustment. The authors call for future studies on mechanisms.
A 2025 study of bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) from polycythemia vera patients found that these cells had reduced immunomodulatory properties and released different soluble immune and angiogenic mediators compared to MSC from healthy donors. Proteomic analysis showed upregulated expression of FAM175B, VP526A, CTTN, MAP4, BAX, and TPD52L2, and downregulated TNC expression. The authors conclude that MSC contribute to a pro-tumour inflammatory microenvironment in the bone marrow and suggest targeting MSC-mediated pathways as a potential therapeutic strategy, but no clinical trial data are presented. A 2006 commentary notes that polycythemia vera erythroblasts evade death receptor pathways that normally regulate red cell production, but provides no treatment results.
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 · 1942 · 15 citations
CHOREA COMPLICATING POLYCYTHEMIA VERA; REPORT OF A CASE
AbstractCase Reports1 September 1942CHOREA COMPLICATING POLYCYTHEMIA VERA; REPORT OF A CASELAWRENCE M. KOTNER, M.D., JOHN H. TRITT, M.D.LAWRENCE M. KOTNER, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, JOHN H. TRITT, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-17-3-544 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptErythremia, or polycythemia vera, is a disease characterized by an increase in the erythrocyte count and volume of the circulating blood, splenomegaly, and various circulatory phenomena due to the increased viscosity of the blood. Neurological symptoms and signs are common in this condition as was emphasized by Vacquez and a little later by Osler in their original reports of this disease. Christian1emphasized the neurological manifestations of this condition and stated that the failure to keep these symptoms in mind leads to mistakes in diagnosis. In his report of 10 cases of polycythemia vera, headaches and vertigo were the most...Bibliography1. CHRISTIAN HA: The nervous symptoms of polycythemia vera, Am. Jr. Med. Sci., 1917, cliv, 547. CrossrefGoogle Scholar2. BROCKBANK TW: Neurologic aspects of polycythemia vera, Am. Jr. Med. Sci., 1929, clxxviii, 209. Google Scholar3. SLOAN LH: Polycythemia rubra vera; neurologic complications, Arch. Neurol. and Psychiat., 1933, xxx, 154. CrossrefGoogle Scholar4. ADAMS LJ: Polycythemia vera with special reference to the nervous manifestations, Canad. Med. Assoc. Jr., 1935, xxxii, 128. Google Scholar5. UMNEY WF: Notes on a fatal case of splenomegalic polycythemia, Lancet, 1909, i, 1243. CrossrefGoogle Scholar6. POLLACK LJ: A case of chorea and erythremia, Jr. Am. Med. Assoc., 1922, lxxviii, 724. Google Scholar7. DOLLROTHSCHILD HK: Familial polycythemia with progressive Huntington's chorea, Klin. Wchnschr., 1922, i, 2580. CrossrefGoogle Scholar8. SCHIFFSIMON PR: Erythremia with attacks of cataplexy, chorea and mental confusion, Ann. Med.-psychol. (pt. 1), 1913, xci, 616. Google Scholar9. SOMOGYI M: Micromethods for the estimation of diastase, Jr. Biol. Chem., 1938, cxxv, 399. CrossrefGoogle Scholar10. COOKSOMOGYI JEM: The rate of glycolysis in erythremia, Arch. Int. Med., 1929, xliv, 813. CrossrefGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: *Received for publication January 21, 1942.From the Medical Service of the Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byPolycythemia and choreaChorea in the Elderly with Mutation Positive Polycythemia Vera: A Case ReportChorea and polycythaemiaA case of chorea due to polycythaemia veraPrimary polycythaemia presenting with choreaChorea, polycythaemis, and cyanotic heart disease.Polycythaemia Vera and ChoreaPolyglobulie und Polycythaemia veraPOLYCYTHAEMIA VERA AND CHOREAChorea bei Polycythaemia veraThe natural history of Sydenham's choreaPOLYCYTHEMIA VERA. II. COURSE AND THERAPY*PAUL CALABRESI, M.D., OVID O. MEYER, M.D., F.A.C.P.Das Zentralnervensystem bei Krankheiten des BlutesHuntingtonsche Chorea 1 September 1942Volume 17, Issue 3Page: 544-548KeywordsBlood volumeBrainMedical servicesPolycythemia veraSigns and symptomsSplenomegalyVertigo ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 September 1942 PDF downloadLoading ...
Hemichorea in a patient with JAK2V617F blood cells
AbstractTo the editor:
Chorea has been reported in patients with polycythemia vera (PV). JAK2V617F is a molecular marker used for the diagnosis of PV.[1][1],[2][2] Occasionally, patients have insufficient clinical criteria to establish a diagnosis of PV or only possess some disease features without having
Archives of Environmental Health An International Journal · 1979 · 6 citations
Polycythemia Produced in Rats by Environmental Contaminants
AbstractPolycythemia developed in progeny from mothers who were exposed during pregnancy to a combination of methylmercury chloride plus ethylurea and sodium nitrite. The polycythemia occurred as early as one month of age and as many as 24% of the offspring developed the polycythemic condition. Many features of this condition are similar to those of polycythemia vera in man, such as elevated hematocrits and white and red blood cell counts, splenomegaly, and hyperplasia of bone marrow accompanied by megakaryocytosis.
Croatian Medical Journal · 2025 · 1 citations · open access
Preoperative polycythemia may be associated with inferior postoperative outcomes: a retrospective study
AbstractAIM: To investigate the influence of preoperative polycythemia on postoperative outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the postoperative outcomes of 1196 elective non-cardiac surgery procedures (minor, 36%; intermediate/major, 64%) performed under general anesthesia at the General Hospital of Šibenik-Knin County, Croatia, between January 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024. Patients were stratified preoperatively as having anemia, normal hemoglobin, or polycythemia. The primary outcome was a 30-day postoperative composite outcome consisting of death, thrombosis, major bleeding, and the need for red blood cell transfusion. RESULTS: Anemia, normal hemoglobin levels, and polycythemia were recorded preoperatively in 152 (12.7%), 1000 (83.6%), and 44 (3.7%) of patients, respectively. Patients with polycythemia were the youngest, more frequently men and smokers, and had the lowest frequency of prior venous thromboembolism (VTE). Patients with anemia were the oldest and most frequently had comorbidities, cancer, and prior VTE, used anticoagulants, and underwent intermediate/major surgeries. The composite outcome was recorded in 91 procedures (7.6%) and was most frequent in patients with polycythemia (18.2% vs 9.2% vs 6.9%; P=0.016). Patients with polycythemia also most frequently had postoperative bleeding (18.2% vs 7.9% vs 6.5%; P=0.011) and did not need postoperative red blood cell transfusions (P=0.003). The associations of preoperative polycythemia with the postoperative composite outcome and bleeding remained significant in multivariate models adjusted for surgery risk, sex, comorbidities, physical status, and antiplatelet or anticoagulant use. Patients with polycythemia did not experience deaths or thrombotic events. CONCLUSION: Patients with polycythemia require comprehensive preoperative assessment. Future studies are needed to investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the observed effects.
Hematology Transfusion and Cell Therapy · 2025 · 0 citations · open access
Mesenchymal stromal cells secretory pattern contributes to oncoinflammatory bone marrow microenvironment in polycythemia vera
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Polycythemia vera is a myeloproliferative neoplasm marked by an increased proliferation of erythroid mature and precursors cells in bone marrow and peripheral blood. The pathophysiology is linked to the presence of the JAK2 driver mutation, epigenetic deregulation, and alterations in the bone marrow hematopoietic niche. Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) in the bone marrow, which are crucial for maintenance and development of hematopoietic stem cells, play a role in the communication between neoplastic cells and resident bone marrow cells by releasing various mediators that either suppress or promote tumor progression. These mediators include several essential immunomodulatory molecules, pro-angiogenic and growth factors. We hypothesized that MSC from polycythemia vera patients (Patient Group) would exhibit distinct properties compared to those from healthy donors (Control Group), thereby influencing the hematopoietic niche and contributing to disease pathogenesis. METHODS: This study characterized MSC from patients, focusing on their secretory, proteomic, and phenotypic properties. RESULTS: MSC from the Patient and Control Groups had similar immunophenotypes and multipotentiality. However, MSC from the Patient Group exhibited reduced immunomodulatory properties, and released distinct soluble immune and angiogenic mediators when compared with the Control Group. Global proteomic analysis revealed that MSC from patients presented upregulated expressions of FAM175B, VP526A, CTTN, MAP4, BAX, and TPD52L2 but a downregulated TNC expression. These results indicate that MSC contribute to the inflammation pattern in the hematopoietic niche. The secretory and proteomic profile of MSC from patients, indicate that these cells may influence immune cell function, induce neoangiogenesis, and alter cell-to-cell interactions within the bone marrow, thereby fostering a pro-tumor microenvironment and favoring disease pathogenesis. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the potential of targeting MSC-mediated pathways as a therapeutic strategy in polycythemia vera.
AbstractComment on Zeuner et al, page [3495][1]
The analysis of death receptor pathways in polycythemia vera patients reveals the mechanisms used by erythroid precursor cells to elude homeostasis-regulating red cell production.
Polycythemia vera (PV) is a monoclonal myeloproliferative disorder
OBM Integrative and Complementary Medicine · 2019 · 0 citations · open access
Unexpected Long Survival of a Patient with Polycythemia Vera
AbstractThis case reports of a 71-year-old patient with polycythemia vera (PCV). Homeopathic treatment began 15 years after his diagnosis at the age of 51. The frequency of phlebotomies was lowered significantly after the start of the homeopathic treatment; the patient survived another 16 years without chemotherapy, which he had rejected despite appropriate education. For someone with PCV who denied chemotherapy, this patient had a long survival time of more than 30 years, essentially enjoying good health and high quality of life. The most important homeopathic medicine in his regimen was phosphorus.
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.
