Leveraging Artificial intelligence for Drug Discovery in Epidermal Repair (LADDER)
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Overview:
Ichthyoses are a family of genetic skin conditions characterized by impaired shedding of skin cells, resulting in scaling skin and a disrupted skin barrier. This can lead to itching, infections, dehydration, increased nutritional needs, and psychosocial impacts. Current ichthyosis therapies aim to improve the skin barrier and decrease scale. However, these medications have varied outcomes in minimizing ichthyosis symptoms and complications, and novel therapies are needed. The LADDER project aims to apply artificial intelligence (AI) to identify drugs for other conditions that can be repurposed for ichthyosis. Using AI models, we will systematically analyze a curated collection of research publications, link ichthyosis genetic pathways to drug mechanisms, and create a ranked list of existing medications with potential benefit for ichthyosis. This approach could streamline therapeutic discovery and improve outcomes for patients who are not adequately treated with conventional options.
Status:
This was funded through a 2025 Pediatric Ichthyosis Challenge Grant.
