# Drug Repurposing for Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease by Analyzing Networks Among Drugs, Diseases, and Genes

## TL;DR

This paper explores repurposing existing drugs for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by analyzing connections between drugs, diseases, and genes.

## Contribution

A novel ranking methodology for drug repurposing candidates based on network analysis and disease similarity.

## Key findings

- A bipartite network and BiClusO algorithm identified clusters of drugs associated with NAFLD risk genes.
- A ranking system prioritized drug candidates based on their potential for NAFLD treatment.
- Literature review supported the effectiveness of top-ranked drugs for NAFLD.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Drug development for complex diseases such as NAFLD is often lengthy and expensive. Drug repurposing, the process of finding new therapeutic uses for existing drugs, presents a promising alternative to traditional approaches. This study aims to identify potential repurposed drugs for NAFLD by leveraging disease–disease relationships and drug–target data from the BioSNAP database. Methods: A bipartite network was constructed between drugs and their target genes, followed by the application of the BiClusO bi-clustering algorithm to identify high-density clusters. Clusters with significant associations with NAFLD risk genes were considered to predict potential drug candidates. Another set of candidates was determined based on disease similarity. Results: A novel ranking methodology was developed to evaluate and prioritize these candidates, supported by a comprehensive literature review of their effectiveness in NAFLD treatment. Conclusions: This research demonstrates the potential of drug repurposing to accelerate the development of therapies for NAFLD, offering valuable insights into novel treatment strategies for complex diseases.