Andres Negro-Vilar

MD, PhD
TransMed Institute
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44.14

Topics (13) View all

Research experience

  • Mar 2008–
    Aug 2009
    Research: Sr Vipresident, R&D, Chief Scientific Officer
    BHR Pharma · R&D
    USA · Bethesda
  • Aug 1996–
    Feb 2007
    Research: Executive Vicepresident, R&D
    Ligand Pharmaceuticals · R&D
    USA · San Diego, CA
  • May 1993–
    Aug 1996
    Research: Vicepresident
    Women’s Health Research Institute, Wyeth Ayerst, Philadelphia,PA
    USA · Radnor, PA
  • Jun 1989–
    Jun 1996
    Research: Adjunct Professor
    University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill · Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology
    USA · Chapel Hill,NC
  • Jan 1983–
    Dec 1993
    Research: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
    National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences · Laboratory of Molecular and Integrative Neurosciences
    USA · Research Triangle Park, NC
    Laboratory chief and NIEHS Clinical Director.
  • Apr 1977–
    Jun 1983
    Research: Full Professor
    University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center · Department of Physiology · Neuroendocrinology
    USA · Dallas

Awards & achievements

  • Dec 1996
    Award: Doctor Honoris Causa, UNIV. Santiago de Compostela, Snatiago, Spain
  • Jun 1992
    Award: NIH Merit Award

Publications (236) View all

  • Source
    Article: A selective retinoid X receptor agonist bexarotene (LGD1069, targretin) inhibits angiogenesis and metastasis in solid tumours.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The present study determined the influence of a retinoid X receptor agonist bexarotene on angiogenesis and metastasis in solid tumours. In the experimental lung metastasis xenograft models, treatment with bexarotene inhibited the development of the lung tumour nodule formation compared to control. In vivo angiogenesis assay utilising gelfoam sponges, bexarotene reduced angiogenesis in sponges containing vascular endothelial growth factor, epidermal growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor to various extent. To determine the basis of these observations, human breast and non-small-cell lung cancer cells were subjected to migration and invasion assays in the presence of bexarotene. Our data showed that bexarotene decrease migration and invasiveness of tumour cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, bexarotene inhibited angiogenesis by directly inhibiting human umbilical vein endothelial cell growth and indirectly inhibiting tumour cell-mediated migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells through Matrigel matrix. Analysis of tumour-conditioned medium indicated that bexarotene decreased the secretion of angiogenic factors and matrix metalloproteinases and increased the tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases. The ability of bexarotene to inhibit angiogenesis and metastasis was dependent on activation of its heterodimerisation partner peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma. Collectively, our results suggest a role of bexarotene in treatment of angiogenesis and metastasis in solid tumours.
    British Journal of Cancer 04/2006; 94(5):654-60. · 5.04 Impact Factor
  • Source
    Article: Novel, non-steroidal, selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) with anabolic activity in bone and muscle and improved safety profile.
    J Rosen, A Negro-Vilar
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: A novel approach to the treatment of osteoporosis in men, and possibly women, is the development of selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) that can stimulate formation of new bone with substantially diminished proliferative activity in the prostate, as well as reduced virilizing activity in women. Over the last several years, we have developed a program to discover and develop novel, non-steroidal, orally-active selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) that provide improved therapeutic benefits and reduce risk and side effects. In recent studies, we have used a skeletally mature orchiectomized (ORX) male rat as an animal model of male hypogonadism for assessing the efficacy of LGD2226, a nonsteroidal, non-aromatizable, and non-5alpha-reducible SARM. We assessed the activity of LGD2226 on bone turnover, bone mass and bone strength, and also evaluated the effects exerted on classic androgen-dependent targets, such as prostate, seminal vesicles and muscle. A substantial loss of bone density was observed in ORX animals, and this loss was prevented by SARMs, as well as standard androgens. Biochemical markers of bone turnover revealed an early increase of bone resorption in androgen-deficient rats that was repressed in ORX animals treated with the oral SARM, LGD2226, during a 4-month treatment period. Differences in architectural properties and bone strength were detected by histomorphometric and mechanical analyses, demonstrating beneficial effects of LGD2226 on bone quality in androgen-deficient rats. Histomorphometric analysis of cortical bone revealed distinct anabolic activity of LGD2226 in periosteal bone. LGD2226 was able to prevent bone loss and maintain bone quality in ORX rats by stimulating bone formation, while also inhibiting bone turnover. LGD2226 also exerted anabolic activity on the levator ani muscle. Taken together, these results suggest that orally-active, non-steroidal SARMs may be useful therapeutics for both muscle and bone in elderly hypogonadal men through their anabolic activities. Since SARMs both prevent bone loss, and also stimulate formation of new bone, they may have significant advantages relative to currently used anti-resorptive therapies. Coupled with their activity in muscle and their ability to maintain or restore libido, they offer new therapeutic approaches for male and female hormone replacement.
    Journal of musculoskeletal & neuronal interactions 04/2002; 2(3):222-4. · 2.00 Impact Factor
  • Article: Selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs): a novel approach to androgen therapy for the new millennium.
    A Negro-Vilar
    Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &amp Metabolism 11/1999; 84(10):3459-62. · 6.50 Impact Factor
  • Article: Estrogen activity and novel tissue selectivity of delta8,9-dehydroestrone sulfate in postmenopausal women.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: Recent basic and clinical advances have consolidated the concept of tissue-selective estrogens, i.e. molecules that express different degrees of partial agonist, full agonist or antagonist activity in different tissues or cells. Delta8,9-Dehydroestrone sulfate (delta8,9-DHES) is a conjugated estrogen and a component of conjugated equine estrogens (CEE). It is metabolized in the human in at least a 1:1 ratio to its 17beta form, 17beta-delta8,9-DHES. To evaluate its activity in different clinical and biochemical parameters, a clinical research study was conducted with delta8,9-DHES and estrone sulfate as a comparator in postmenopausal women. Delta8,9-DHES was given orally at a daily dose of 0.125 mg for 12 weeks in a group of 10 women. Two additional groups of women received either estrone sulfate alone (1.25 mg/day) or the combination of delta8,9-DHES and estrone sulfate at the previously specified doses. A significant and consistent suppression of hot flushes (number, severity, and total score) was observed with delta8,9-DHES, reaching more than 95% suppression in all parameters of vasomotor symptoms. This level of activity was equal to that obtained with the much higher dose of estrone sulfate, and it was sustained for the duration of the treatment period (12 weeks). Measurements of a bone resorption marker, i.e. urinary excretion of N-telopeptide, demonstrated that delta8,9-DHES at 8 weeks produced a degree of suppression (40%) similar to that observed with the higher dose of estrone sulfate. Gonadotropin secretion (FSH and LH) was significantly suppressed in women receiving delta8,9-DHES, similar to that observed with estrone sulfate alone or with the combination of the two. Other parameters, such as total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and high density lipoprotein cholesterol were not modified significantly, whereas serum globulins (sex hormone-binding globulin and corticosteroid-binding globulin) showed only marginal increases after delta8,9-DHES administration. Taken together with preclinical data, it is found that delta8,9-DHES is an active estrogen with a distinct pharmacological profile that results in significant clinical activity in vasomotor, neuroendocrine (gonadotropin and PRL) and bone preservation parameters, whereas displaying little or no efficacy, at the dose tested, on other peripheral parameters normally affected by estrogens. Collectively, this information supports the concept that delta8,9-DHES is an integral component of CEE, with distinct tissue selectivity contributing to the CEE's overall clinical activity, and places this estrogen as a distinct member of a novel class of centrally active molecules with unique peripheral tissue selectivity.
    Journal of Clinical Endocrinology &amp Metabolism 07/1999; 84(6):2020-7. · 6.50 Impact Factor
  • Article: Expression of functional estrogen receptors and galanin messenger ribonucleic acid in immortalized luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone neurons: estrogenic control of galanin gene expression.
    [show abstract] [hide abstract]
    ABSTRACT: The activity of estradiol on the LHRH neuronal network is crucial in the regulation of reproduction. In vivo, estradiol induces galanin (GAL) gene expression in LHRH neurons and GAL/LHRH colocalization is sexually dimorphic and neonatally determined by steroid exposure. The effects of estradiol on LHRH neurons, however, are considered to be indirect because estrogen receptors (ER) have not been detected in LHRH neurons in vivo. Using immortalized mouse LHRH neurons (GT1-7 cells), we demonstrated by RT-PCR and Southern blotting that GT1-7 cells express ER messenger RNA (mRNA). Sequencing of the amplification products indicated that GT1-7 ER is of the alpha-subtype (ER alpha). Additionally, estrogen receptors in GT1-7 cells were characterized by competitive radioligand receptor binding and IC50 values for 17beta-estradiol and ICI-182,780 were found to be 0.24 and 4.1 nM, respectively. The ability of endogenous GT1-7 cell ER to regulate transcription was determined in transient transfection studies using a construct that consisted of a luciferase reporter gene that is driven by tandem estrogen response elements (ERE) and a minimal herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter. 17Beta-estradiol was found to enhance luciferase activity by 2.5-fold at physiological concentrations with an ED50 value of 47 pM. This induction was completely inhibited by ICI-182,780 which had an IC50 value of 4.8 nM. Raloxifene, tamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and droloxifene also fully blocked estrogen-mediated luciferase induction with IC50 values of 58.4, 89.2, 33.2, and 49.8 nM, respectively. In addition, GAL mRNA was detected and identified by RT-PCR followed by Southern blotting using a rat GAL complementary DNA (cDNA) probe. The ability of 17beta-estradiol to modulate expression of the endogenous GAL gene in immortalized LHRH neurons was also determined. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that physiological concentrations of estrogen increase GAL gene expression by 2-fold with an ED50 value of 23 pM. ICI-182,780, raloxifene, and droloxifene completely blocked this induction. In summary, our data demonstrate the presence of ER alpha and GAL mRNA in GT1-7 cells. The ER in GT1-7 cells is biologically active because 17beta-estradiol enhances both endogenous GAL gene expression and an ERE-driven reporter gene. These results suggest that estrogenic control of GAL gene expression in immortalized LHRH neurons may be transduced by ER. Thus, hypothalamic-derived LHRH neurons appear to have the capacity to be directly regulated by estrogen.
    Endocrinology 04/1998; 139(3):939-48. · 4.46 Impact Factor

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