Brain metastasis models: What should we aim to achieve better treatments?

Brain metastasis is emerging as a unique entity in oncology based on its particular biology and, consequently, the pharmacological approaches that should be considered. We discuss the current state of modelling this specific progression of cancer and how these experimental models have been used to test multiple pharmacologic strategies over the years. In spite of pre-clinical evidences demonstrating brain metastasis vulnerabilities, many clinical trials have excluded patients with brain metastasis. Fortunately, this trend is getting to an end given the increasing importance of secondary brain tumors in the clinic and a better knowledge of the underlying biology. We discuss emerging trends and unsolved issues that will shape how we will study experimental brain metastasis in the years to come.

Seroepidemiology of Bovine Herpes Virus-1 Infection in Water Buffaloes from the state of Veracruz, Mexico.

Water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were introduced to Mexico at the end of the last century. In Mexico, buffaloes are commonly pastured together with cattle; however few studies have been done on buffalo herd health in Mexico. We hypothesized that a better knowledge of the epidemiology of infections shared between cattle and buffaloes may improve herd profitability and promote buffalo production in areas unsuitable to cattle farming. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of antibodies against bovine herpes virus - 1 (BoHV1) in water buffaloes raised on six farms from the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Of 368 buffaloes sampled, 217 (59%) were seropositive for BoHV-1. Age was identified as a risk factor for BoHV-1 infection with buffaloes older than 5 years being the most likely to be infected. Animals more than 7 years old had the highest prevalence (86.0%). Females and males had similar seroprevalence rates. Females with history of abortion had higher prevalence of antiBoHV-1 antibodies than those with no record of abortion. Buffaloes and cattle were raised together in only one of the six farms under study. Interaction with cattle was not a risk factor for BoHV-1 seropositivity. This study showed that BoHV-1 is prevalent among buffalo herds in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. Buffaloes appear to play an important role in the epidemiology of BoHV-1 infection in parts of Mexico when there is no apparent risk of interaction with cattle. Animal health programs established to mitigate the burden caused by BoHV-1 must take into consideration buffaloes when this bovid species is part of the agroecosystem shared with cattle.