Palbociclib as single agent or in combination with the endocrine therapy received before disease progression for estrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer: TREnd trial.

Background: The activity of palbociclib as a single agent in advanced breast cancer has not been extensively studied, with the only available clinical data limited to heavily pretreated patients. Preclinical data suggests palbociclib may partially reverse endocrine resistance, though this hypothesis has not been evaluated in previous clinical studies. This phase II, open-label, multicenter study examined the activity of palbociclib monotherapy, as well as palbociclib given in combination with the same endocrine therapy (ET) that was received prior to disease progression, in postmenopausal women with moderately pretreated, estrogen receptor-positive, HER2 negative advanced breast cancer. Patients and methods: Eligible women with advanced disease which had progressed on one or two prior ETs were randomized 1 : 1 to receive either palbociclib alone, or palbociclib in combination with the ET as previously received. Primary end point was clinical benefit rate (CBR); secondary end points included progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Between October 2012 and July 2016, a total of 115 patients were randomized. The CBR was 54% [95% confidence interval (CI): 41.5-63.7] for combination therapy, and 60% (95% CI: 47.8-72.9) for monotherapy. Median PFS was 10.8 months (95% CI: 5.6-12.7) for combination therapy, and 6.5 months (95% CI: 5.4-8.5) for monotherapy [hazard ratio (HR) 0.69; 95% CI: 0.4-1.1, exploratory P-value = 0.12]. Exploratory analyses revealed the PFS advantage for combination therapy was seen in the subgroup of patients who received prior ET for >6 months (HR 0.53; 95% CI: 0.3-0.9, exploratory P-value = 0.02), but not in those who received prior ET for ≤6 months. Conclusion: Palbociclib has clinical activity as a single agent in women with moderately pretreated, oestrogen receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer. Palbociclib may have potential to reverse endocrine resistance in patients with a history of previous durable response to ET. Clinical trial information: NCT02549430.

Control of reproduction in ferrets, rabbits and rodents.

Reproduction control of small mammals is challenging. The purposes are the control of fertility and the reduction of sexual behaviour, aggressiveness and odour. Moreover, some species like ferret females need to be neutered to prevent bone marrow suppression caused by hyperoestrogenism. Many methods of sterilization have been reported, including surgical and chemical techniques. This article describes the reproductive physiology of ferrets and the techniques used to control their reproduction. Some aspects of the use of long-acting deslorelin implants in rabbits and rodents are also described.

High-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandibular salivary gland in a lion (Panthera leo).

A 13-year-old neutered male lion was presented with a primary neoplasm arising from the left mandibular salivary gland associated with metastases to regional lymph nodes, thoracic viscera (lungs, heart, esophagus, and diaphragm), and kidney. Histologic and immunohistochemical investigations led to a diagnosis of a high-grade mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the mandibular salivary gland. In this case report, we point out the importance of the immunohistochemical characterization for differential diagnosis between various types of carcinomas of the salivary gland.

[Treatment of breast injuries in marine ducks hospitalized at a wildlife shelter]. / Traitement des plaies du bréchet de canards marins hospitalisés en centre de soins de la faune sauvage.

Seabirds kept in care centers frequently show secondary lesions subsequent to detention conditions: this is the case with scabs. These scabs are very often looked upon as a cause for euthanasia, mainly after an ecological disaster, such as an oil spill, when the number of oiled birds is very large. Seaducks (Melanitta nigra, Melanitta fuscus, Somateria mollissima) were very numerous at the Veterinary School of Nantes after the wreck of the tanker Erika in December 1999. A protocol for the treatment of sternum wounds of seaducks is described. This protocol had a high success rate, with more than 65% of the treated Scoters being completely healed and more than 40% being either released or removed to Dutch care centers to await their molt.