DeCure's autonomous Cancer AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for skin neoplasm — screening already-approved drugs against its 39-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleSkin neoplasm maps to a 39-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 skin neoplasm 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
protein C receptor (PROCR) — PROCR 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 ptydrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 1LQV · 1.6 Å · ligand PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE (PTY). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
The reviewed abstracts provide no clinical trial data for any drug in skin neoplasms. One 2022 preclinical study describes a nanocomposite, TSL-IR820-CAT, encapsulating the photosensitizer IR820 and catalase in thermosensitive liposomes, tested against cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in A431 cells and in vivo. The authors report that needle-free injection allowed tumour accumulation, that the particles relieved hypoxia and enhanced photodynamic therapy, and that combined PDT/PTT produced irreversible apoptosis and inhibited cSCC growth without apparent systemic side effects. These are laboratory findings in a single experimental system; no human data, response rates, or survival figures are given.
A 1998 retrospective surgical series of ten patients with giant nonmelanoma skin neoplasias larger than 8 cm found that the two patients who refused surgery survived only weeks, one patient who refused adequate surgery survived 9 months, and all adequately treated surgical patients were alive at writing, including one who later had resection of pulmonary metastases. Average survival of surgically treated patients was 2.7 years. This supports aggressive surgery, not drug therapy. A 1984 review states that optimal treatment is surgical removal with histopathologic confirmation of excision adequacy.
The remaining abstracts are classification and review papers. The 2023 WHO update on skin tumours introduces new sections on nail unit tumours, skin metastases, and genetic tumour syndromes, and redefines melanocytic lesions of intermediate behaviour as "melanocytoma" with specific molecular mutations. A 2021 review notes that research linking gene mutations to skin cancer is limited and inconsistent, with no established molecular screening guidelines. A 2011 review covers pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia, a benign mimic of squamous cell carcinoma. A 2022 commentary reiterates the UVR-DNA damage link. A 2008 abstract on paraneoplastic dermatoses is included but appears mislabelled; it states that recognising skin presentations leads to early diagnosis of underlying malignancy and that treating the neoplasm improves cutaneous manifestations.
No abstract reports a drug that changes survival or response in skin neoplasms. The only therapeutic intervention with outcome data is surgery. The nanophototherapy work is promising but unvalidated in humans. What is missing is any clinical trial of TSL-IR820-CAT or similar agents, patient stratification by molecular subtype as suggested by the 2021 review, and prospective data linking the WHO classification's new entities to treatment decisions. Funding for translational work from the preclinical nanocomposite stage to phase I testing would be required, along with validated biomarkers for patient selection.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
American Journal of Dermatopathology · 2011 · 132 citations
Pseudoepitheliomatous Hyperplasia: A Review
AbstractPseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH) is a benign condition, characterized by hyperplasia of the epidermis and adnexal epithelium, closely simulating squamous cell carcinoma. PEH may be present in a number of conditions characterized by prolonged inflammation and/or chronic infection, as well as in association with many cutaneous neoplasms. Herein, we review different inflammatory, infectious, and neoplastic skin diseases, in which florid epidermal hyperplasia is a prominent histopathologic feature, and introduce a systematic approach in the interpretation of PEH.
The 2023 WHO updates on skin tumors: advances since the 2018 edition
AbstractPathology is pivotal in diagnosing skin tumors, and the precision of diagnosis is crucial to devise customized treatment plans and enhance patient care in dermatology. The latest edition of the World Health Organization's classification of skin tumors serves as a comprehensive compendium, summarizing and categorizing all recent advancements in both anatomical-pathological and molecular aspects of cutaneous neoplasms. Several relevant advances have been introduced and new entities have been described. While the fundamental structure of the classification remains unchanged, notable additions include three new sections aimed at providing a more exhaustive description of skin lesions: nail unit tumors, skin metastases, and genetic tumor syndromes associated with skin malignancies. Recent strides in molecular pathology have led to significant breakthroughs in decoding the underlying mechanisms of various skin tumors, ranging from adnexal neoplasms to hematolymphoid neoplasms, soft tissue tumors, and melanocytic lesions. Of particular importance is the evolution in our understanding of melanocytic neoplasms, with the introduction of the term "melanocytoma" reserved for lesions exhibiting "intermediate" biological behavior and characterized by specific molecular mutations. The pathologic diagnosis process integrates morphological, immunohistochemical, and molecular features, playing a crucial role in clinical decision-making. The WHO classification serves as a valuable tool in promoting multidisciplinarity in the management of cutaneous neoplasms with the aim of translating novel pathological discoveries into more effective treatments. This review aims to distill the major updates introduced by the new classification, providing a synthesis of the latest scientific insights.
Applied Sciences · 2021 · 13 citations · open access
Molecular Profile of Skin Cancer
AbstractNeoplasia occurs as a result of genetic mutations. Research evaluating the association between gene mutations and skin cancer is limited and has produced inconsistent results. There are no established guidelines for screening skin cancer at molecular level. It should also be noted that the combinations of some mutations may play a role in skin tumors’ biology and immune response. There are three major types of skin cancer, and the originality of this study comes from its approach of each of them.
Surgical Management of Giant Nonmelanoma Skin Neoplasia
AbstractBACKGROUND: Management of advanced integumentary malignancy has been controversial. We have evaluated and treated 10 patients with giant nonmelanoma skin neoplasias more than 8 cm in diameter. METHODS: Aggressive surgical ablation was prospectively recommended to treat giant basal cell or mixed basosquamous tumors and two purely squamous cell tumors. Radiation therapy was given in three surgical patients. Our data are analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Survival of the two patients who refused surgery was measured in weeks. One patient who refused adequate surgery survived 9 months before dying. All of the adequately treated surgical patients are alive as of this writing, including one who had subsequent resection of pulmonary metastases. Three patients required free tissue transfer. The average survival of surgically treated patients was 2.7 years. CONCLUSION: An aggressive surgical approach to the management of advanced/giant skin neoplasia is justifiable and the only treatment that may produce long-term survivability.
International Journal of Nanomedicine · 2022 · 6 citations · open access
Near-Infrared Light-Activated Oxygen Generator a Multidynamic Photo-Nanoplatform for Effective Anti-Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treatment
AbstractIntroduction: Nanophototherapy has emerged as a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment; however, its efficacy in dermatological tumors and precancerous lesions remains severely limited. This study aimed to use the gas-liquid injection technique to fully utilize the synergistic photodynamic therapy (PDT)/photothermal therapy (PTT) of nanomaterials to enhance the antitumor effect. Methods: A novel oxygen-generating nanocomposite (TSL-IR820-CAT) was synthesized by encapsulating the photosensitizer IR820 and catalase (CAT) using a matrix encapsulation method based on thermosensitive liposomes (TSL).-The liquid injection technology enhances the treatment of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC). The combined PDT/PTT therapeutic effect of TSL-IR820-CAT on cSCC was investigated using in vivo and in vitro experiments. Results: TSL-IR820-CAT, with good stability, efficient drug release, and photothermal conversion ability, was successfully developed. Nanoparticles injected through a needle-free syringe efficiently accumulate in the tumor tissue. As TSL-IR820-CAT was consumed by A431 cells, some of it localized to the mitochondria and produced oxygen to relieve hypoxia, thereby enhancing the efficacy of PDT. PDT/PTT combination therapy resulted in irreversible apoptosis and inhibited cSCC growth. TSL-IR820-CAT coupled with gas-liquid injection was free from apparent systemic side effects. Conclusion: This article discusses new strategies and ideas for treating skin tumors and has significant application value.
Journal of Dermatology and Skin Science · 2022 · 2 citations · open access
Commentary: Sport-specific Factors Impacting Solar Ultraviolet Exposure in Individuals Who Perform Outdoor Sport Activities
AbstractThe epidemiologic and molecular links between ultraviolet radiation (UVR) exposure and subsequent development of both melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers have been well elucidated. This relationship is explained by the tendency of UVR to form DNA-damaging reactive oxygen species, increase production of local growth factors, and impair cutaneous immune function in the skin.
AbstractSkin cancer is the most common malignant tumor encountered in humans, with the head and neck being the most likely sites. The physician should be suspicious of malignant disease when evaluating any skin lesion, and a biopsy is easily performed on those that are questionable. The optimal method of treatment is surgical removal of the cancer in conjunction with histopathologic confirmation of the adequacy of excision. Reconstruction of the surgical defect is best performed by someone familiar with the use of local and regional skin flaps in the head and neck region.
Banca Borsa Titoli di Credito: rivista di dottrina e giurisprudenza · 2008 · 0 citations
I contratti bancari nel sistema del codice civile: un modello per un codice europeo dei contratti?
AbstractThe skin changes outlined in this article can be important clues to an underlying malignancy. Paraneoplastic dermatoses are skin disorders associated with an underlying neoplasm and whose course parallels that of the neoplasm. Recognizing these skin presentations leads to early diagnosis and management of the underlying malignancy. Effective treatment of the associated neoplasm often leads to improvement of the cutaneous manifestations and should be the primary focus of each patient's management.
Disease module: DeepOracle (Open Targets). Structures: RDKit from PubChem SMILES. Literature: retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works using Disease Ontology synonyms, resolved on OpenAlex.
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