DeCure's autonomous Cancer AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for skin squamous cell carcinoma — screening already-approved drugs against its 44-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleSkin squamous cell carcinoma maps to a 44-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
approvedSunitinibApproved drug
Structures already discussed alongside skin squamous cell carcinoma in the retrieved literature, rendered from public PubChem SMILES. Which drugs appear here reflects the evidence found, not a ranked prediction.
Molecular view
KIT kinase domain — Sunitinib has a real, experimentally solved structure in complex with this target (PDB 3G0E, 1.6 Å). This is the drug's own deposited structure, not a prediction, and confirms it is a structurally characterised molecule rather than an untested guess.
Loading structure…
helix sheet b49drag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 3G0E · 1.6 Å · ligand Sunitinib (B49). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
The incidence of skin cancer in Iran increased between 2003 and 2008, with the rise attributed specifically to squamous cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma showed a declining trend, while basal squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma increased. The increase was more pronounced in men than in women. No treatment data or drug outcomes are reported in this epidemiological study.
A 2014 review describes the classic two-stage chemical carcinogenesis mouse model for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. This model has been used to study the sequence of biological and genetic events in tumour development, including the role of oncogene and tumour-suppressor signalling pathways, the nature of the target cell, and inflammation. The review states that studies of tumour-initiating cells, malignant progression, and metastasis in mouse models may inform future treatment and chemoprevention approaches, but it provides no human trial results or drug efficacy data.
A 2016 review of treatment modalities states that combination chemotherapy is preferred over single-modality treatment due to potential synergistic effects, reduced drug dose, reduced cytotoxicity, and improved efficacy and survival. It notes that nanoparticle-based delivery and active targeting of EGFR receptors overexpressed in tumour cells are under investigation. The review concludes that many approaches have been designed but few have been marketed, and that challenges in drug delivery to squamous cell carcinoma need further clarification. No concrete survival or response rates from any clinical study are provided.
Two abstracts from 2003 and 2008 note that squamous cell carcinoma is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in organ transplant recipients, and that management is particularly challenging in this group. The 2008 abstract mentions fundamental molecular mechanisms responsible for accelerated SCC development in transplant recipients but provides no drug-specific results or clinical outcomes. What is missing are randomised controlled trials in defined patient populations, adequate funding for such trials, and validated biomarkers to stratify patients who might benefit from specific targeted or combination therapies.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention · 2015 · 64 citations · open access
Changing Trends of Types of Skin Cancer in Iran
AbstractBACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide. It has an increasing trend. This study investigated the epidemiological trend and morphological changes in skin cancer in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was done using existing data, extracted from the National Cancer Registry System and the Disease Management Center of Iranian Ministry of Health between 2003 and 2008. Data on epidemiologic trend was analyzed using Joinpoint software package. RESULTS: The incidence of skin cancer is increasing in Iran, and more in men than women. There was a declining trend for basal cell carcinoma. Basal squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma had an increasing trend. The increase of skin cancer was related to squamous cell carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that the increase of skin cancer was attributed to squamous cell carcinoma. It is necessary to be planning for the control and prevention of this disease as a priority for health policy makers.
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine · 2014 · 36 citations · open access
Modeling Cutaneous Squamous Carcinoma Development in the Mouse
AbstractCutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common cancers in Caucasian populations and is associated with a significant risk of morbidity and mortality. The classic mouse model for studying SCC involves two-stage chemical carcinogenesis, which has been instrumental in the evolution of the concept of multistage carcinogenesis, as widely applied to both human and mouse cancers. Much is now known about the sequence of biological and genetic events that occur in this skin carcinogenesis model and the factors that can influence the course of tumor development, such as perturbations in the oncogene/tumor-suppressor signaling pathways involved, the nature of the target cell that acquires the first genetic hit, and the role of inflammation. Increasingly, studies of tumor-initiating cells, malignant progression, and metastasis in mouse skin cancer models will have the potential to inform future approaches to treatment and chemoprevention of human squamous malignancies.
An Investigative Approach to Treatment Modalities for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Skin
AbstractBACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of skin has become an important matter of discussion worldwide due to high number of deaths. Treatment of such cancer involves use of drugs (chemotherapy) along with surgery or radiation therapy. The combination chemotherapy is preferred over single treatment modality may be due to synergistic effect of targeting agent resulting in reduced drug dose, reduced cytotoxic effect and improved efficacy and survival rate. The objective of this work is to provide insight into the squamous cell carcinoma of skin; the various approaches and challenges adapted to surmount the cancer malignancies. METHODS: Research evidence shows that nanoparticle based therapeutic delivery to squamous cell carcinoma is equanimous to lead therapeutic approaches for intervention of cancer growth. Active chemotherapeutic approach is one of the leading therapies to such cancer cells due specific selectivity towards the EGFR-receptors over-expressed in tumor cells. Review of numerous research publications revealed innate toxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, and substantiated active receptor mediated drug targeting for therapeutic regime. These actively functionalized nanoparticles have been delivered to the targeted cells with higher selectivity, minimal toxicity and better retention in the cell. RESULTS: Numerous approaches and strategies have been designed till date for successful delivery of drug to cancer cells. The techniques have shown tremendous improvement in getting normalcy of carcinomas but a few have been marketed so far. CONCLUSION: Indeed, receptor based drug targeting approach through molecular signal transduction pathways involved in skin cancer development will provide insight into squamous carcinoma. Despite of these, other such challenges in drug delivery to squamous cell carcinoma need further clarification.
Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery · 2003 · 6 citations
Management of squamous cell carcinoma in organ transplant recipients
AbstractThe number of skin cancers continues to rise with well over one million cases of skin cancer expected in the United States this year. Optimal management depends on early detection and treatment. The consequences of skin cancer may be particularly devastating in organ transplant recipients. In this article, management of squamous cell carcinoma in the organ transplant recipient is discussed.
Review of a 3‐year experience with topical chemotherapy and immunotherapy of superficial cutaneous neoplasms
AbstractAbstract A 3‐year experience with topical chemo‐ and immunotherapy of superficial cutaneous neoplasms is reviewed. Agents used were 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), Trenimon (TEIB), and dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The antitumor effect of FU is a result of direct cytostatic action, whereas that of TEIB and DNCB is mediated by delayed hypersensitivity. All drugs were prepared in a hydrophilic ointment base. The treatment of patients with diagnoses of solar keratosis, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma ( in situ ), utilizing the above agents either singly or in combination, is described. Complete response was noted in over 98 percent of the lesions treated. The interrelationship of this modality with surgical excision and radiotherapy is emphasized.
Indian Journal of Dermatology · 2020 · 2 citations · open access
Hand-foot skin reaction with sunitinib: A rare case report with review of literature
AbstractNewer multi-kinase inhibitors (MKI) like sunitinib have changed the therapy of patients of renal cell carcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and gastrointestinal stromal tumor. The use of sunitinib also led to cutaneous toxicity, known as hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR). We report a case of hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR) in an Indian patient being treated with sunitinib. Respective literature on this disorder is also reviewed.
Cambridge University Press eBooks · 2008 · 1 citations
Basic Scientific Mechanisms of Accelerated Development of Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Organ Transplant Recipients
AbstractMore than 28,000 transplants were performed in 2006 and even more are expected in 2007. As transplant recipients are living longer, the problem of managing their skin cancers becomes more challenging. This is especially true for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a significant cause of morbidity and mortality for this group. This chapter will focus on some of the fundamental, molecular mechanisms responsible for accelerated development of SCC in transplant recipients. Chapter 20 will focus on pathogenesis from a more clinical, as opposed to a basic scientific, perspective.
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.
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