DeCure's autonomous Nephrology AI scientist is researching a drug-repurposing hypothesis for urinary tract infection — screening already-approved drugs against its 28-gene Open Targets disease module to publish open-access research. Research is fast; the path to publication is funded in milestone stages.
Disease moduleUrinary tract infection maps to a 28-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
approvedPhenazopyridineApproved drug
Structures already discussed alongside urinary tract infection in the retrieved literature, rendered from public PubChem SMILES. Which drugs appear here reflects the evidence found, not a ranked prediction.
Molecular view
phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) — PDE4D is one of the genes in this disease's Open Targets module — part of the target space DeCure's repurposing candidates point at. The protein backbone is drawn as a cartoon. The structure has 1-[4-(difluoromethoxy)-3-{[(3s)-oxolan-3-yl]oxy}phenyl]-3-methylbutan-1-one bound in it, shown as sticks.
Loading structure…
helix sheet difluoromethoxydrag to rotate · scroll to zoom
RCSB Protein Data Bank · entry 5WH6 · 1.6 Å · ligand 1-[4-(difluoromethoxy)-3-{[(3S)-oxolan-3-yl]oxy}phenyl]-3-methylbutan-1-one (AKJ). Experimental structure, not a prediction.
What the evidence adds up to
The 2016 review notes that urinary tract infections affect 150 million people each year worldwide, with high recurrence rates and increasing antimicrobial resistance driving the search for alternative strategies. It discusses how understanding the molecular and biophysical basis of host-pathogen interactions, the consequences of molecular cross-talk at the host-pathogen interface, and the pathophysiology of UTIs is being translated into novel therapeutics. No concrete efficacy data, survival figures, or response rates are provided; the paper is a review of research directions, not a clinical trial.
A 2006 update on pathogenesis states that UTI is the second most common bacterial infection in children and can cause renal scarring leading to secondary hypertension and chronic kidney disease. It describes how the urothelium expresses toll-like receptors that recognise pathogen-associated molecular patterns, leading to production of inflammatory mediators such as complement proteins, cytokines, and defensins. The resulting inflammatory infiltrate aids bacterial clearance but can also cause renal damage. The review notes interindividual variability in cellular response and polymorphisms in candidate genes that may determine susceptibility to recurrent infections and renal scarring. Again, no treatment outcomes are reported.
A 1968 study on long-term therapy of chronic UTI in children begins by stating that treatment is often unsuccessful, especially when anatomic abnormalities are present. It cites conflicting prior evidence: some investigators recommended prolonged antimicrobial therapy, while others found no advantage. Turck et al distinguished relapse (same microorganism) from reinfection (different microorganism) and recommended six weeks or more of therapy for relapse but considered prolonged therapy of no value for reinfection; other investigators suggested prolonged therapy might act as prophylaxis against reinfection. The abstract does not report results from the present investigation itself — it only describes the rationale for undertaking it.
A 2006 article in Spanish discusses options for drugs, doses, and durations in uncomplicated UTIs, as well as measures to decrease prevalence, relapses, and recurrences, including factors affecting patient adherence. No numerical outcomes, response rates, or comparative efficacy data are given.
Evidence
Retrieved by DeepSearch across 234,678,978 indexed works and resolved on OpenAlex — ranked by citations, including the results that did not work.
Pathogens · 2016 · 98 citations · open access
Adhesive Pili in UTI Pathogenesis and Drug Development
AbstractUrinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most common bacterial infections, affecting 150 million people each year worldwide. High recurrence rates and increasing antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens are making it imperative to develop alternative strategies for the treatment and prevention of this common infection. In this Review, we discuss how understanding the: (i) molecular and biophysical basis of host-pathogen interactions; (ii) consequences of the molecular cross-talk at the host pathogen interface in terms of disease progression; and (iii) pathophysiology of UTIs is leading to efforts to translate this knowledge into novel therapeutics to treat and prevent these infections.
Current Opinion in Pediatrics · 2006 · 86 citations
Pathogenesis of urinary tract infection: an update
AbstractPURPOSE OF REVIEW: Urinary tract infection is the second most common bacterial infection in children. It may cause renal scarring leading to secondary hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Recent information has greatly improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of urinary tract infection and renal scarring. RECENT FINDINGS: Urothelium, an anatomical barrier for innate immune responses, expresses toll-like receptors with the capacity to recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns. Engagement of toll-like receptors can lead to uroepithelial cell activation and production of inflammatory mediators. These include complement proteins, other bactericidal peptides, cytokines, chemokines, defensins and adhesion molecules. The resulting inflammatory infiltrate serves to aid bacterial clearance but can also lead to renal damage. Furthermore, interactions between urinary proteins, such as Tamm-Horsfall protein, and TLR-4 add to the complexity of this defense system. Interindividual variability in cellular response may in part be responsible for variable clinical outcomes. Polymorphisms in a number of candidate genes in this host defense mechanism may be involved in determining those patients who are susceptible to recurrent infections and renal scarring following urinary tract infection. SUMMARY: Further understanding of the basic molecular mechanisms of urinary tract infection and translating these bench data to the bedside holds the promise of improving diagnosis and therapeutic strategies of treating urinary tract infection and preventing recurrence and renal scarring.
Journal of Mind and Medical Sciences · 2025 · 7 citations · open access
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections in Female Patients—A Clinical Review
AbstractWorldwide, urinary tract infections (UTIs) have an increased incidence, especially in women. Recurrent UTIs (rUTIs) appear in less than three months in 80% of the cases, being associated with age, sexual activity, or diabetes mellitus. Antibiotics represent the first line of treatment for rUTIs after the diagnosis based on a positive mid-stream urine (MSU) culture. Alternative therapies including low-dose antibiotic treatment, immunoprophylaxis, cranberry extracts, probiotics, D-mannose, intravesical instillations, methenamine, and estrogens may reduce the recurrence of UTIs in female patients. Multimodal therapy seems to be the future in preventing and treating rUTIs. The main aim of this narrative review is to present the actual therapeutic challenges and the most efficient prophylaxis options in women diagnosed with rUTIs.
AbstractUrinary incontinence (UI) is a major problem especially to the elderly. The only absolute indications for drug therapy in this condition are infection and atrophic urethritis. Other causes of UI should be treated with behavioural remedies and physiotherapy. If these measures are impractical or fail to improve the condition, then we would recommend additional drug therapy.
Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine · 1968 · 5 citations
Long-Term Therapy of Chronic Urinary Tract Infection in Children
AbstractTREATMENT of patients with chronic urinary tract infection is often unsuccessful.<sup>1-3</sup>Urological investigation frequently reveals anatomic abnormalities of the urinary tract which further reduce the chances of successful therapy.<sup>1,2</sup> Several investigators<sup>4-6</sup>have recommended prolonged antimicrobial therapy for chronic urinary tract infection. However, other studies<sup>7,8</sup>have shown no advantage with prolonged therapy. Turck et al<sup>9</sup>separated patients in whom treatment was unsuccessful into those who relapsed with bacteriuria due to the same microorganism and those who became reinfected with a different microorganism. These investigators recommended therapy for six weeks or more in those patients who relapsed but felt that prolongation of therapy was of no value in patients who tended to develop reinfection. Still other investigators<sup>10</sup>have suggested that prolonged antimicrobial therapy may be of value in patients who tend to become reinfected, and may act as prophylaxis to prevent reinfection. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate
Influence of phenazopyridine on the well-being of patients during and after cystoscopy
AbstractINTRODUCTION: Cystoscopy is one of the most common procedures in urology. There is no single approach to pain relief. In the literature, there are conflicting data on the efficiency of intra-urethral gels. The use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, intravenous sedation, and nitric oxide analgesia has been described. Phenazopyridine has been known for a long time. Acting on the bladder mucosa, it has a local analgesic effect. AN evaluation of phenazopyridine intake prior to cystoscopy in order to decrease pain during procedure and facilitate subsequent urination was performed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 97 patients were included in the study. Indications for cystoscopy were as following: hematuria, lower urinary tract symptoms/pain, a need to remove ureteral stent. The patients were randomized into two groups. In the main group (n=50), phenazopyridine 200 mg was administered 20 minutes before cystoscopy and then at a dose of 200 mg every 8 hours (in total three doses) in combination with lidocaine gel. In the control group (n=47), only lidocaine gel was used. Heart rate was measured before and after the procedure. All patients were asked to complete a visual analogue scale (VAS) 3, 8 and 24 hours after cystoscopy with the assessment of the first urination. RESULTS: After cystoscopy, the difference between groups in VAS score was 27.7% in favor of the main group (p<0.001). After 3 hours, the average score in the main group was two times less than in the Control (p=0.012), while 3 and 8 hours after cystoscopy, the proportion of "zero" results was 10% and 0%, 28% and 4%, respectively, p<0.005. The heart rate after the procedure in the main group was 75.1 beats/min, compared to 77.9 beats/min in the control group (p=0.016). CONCLUSION: The intake of phenazopyridine allows to reduce pain intensity during and after cystoscopy and alleviate pain during first urination.
Llengua nacional: publicació de l'Associació Llengua Nacional · 2006 · 0 citations
El parlar de Collsacabra: apunts de lèxic i fraseologia
AbstractThis article deals with many options in utilizing drugs commonly used in the therapy of uncomplicated urinary tract infections (UTIs), their doses and recommended durations of treatment. In addition, it discusses general and specific accompanying measures related to the decrease in prevalence, relapses and recurrences of UTIs, including some of the factors involved in patient adherence or discontinuation of drug regimens.
Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin · 1970 · 0 citations
Uropol for urinary infections
AbstractUropol (Bristol Labs) is a combination of tetracycline phosphate complex, sulphamethizole and phenazopyridine for use in acute and chronic urinary tract infections. The makers claim that it gives therapeutic tissue levels of tetracycline and high urinary levels of sulphonamide, and so reduces the risk of bacterial resistance developing, and that it is useful in the treatment of mixed infections. The addition of phenazopyridine is claimed to provide local analgesia in the lower urinary tract as well as visual assurance of drug excretion by colouring the urine bright orange-red.
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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