A new study has found that a combination of two drugs could enhance the immune system to treat one of the most common types of cancer in the world, bowel cancer. Also known as colorectal cancer, despite its widespread presence, the treatment options for this condition are limited. What the study specifically found was that this procedure could shrink the tumours caused by this condition by around 60%.

What Are The Drugs Involved

The trial involved the use of two immunotherapy drugs, botancilimab and balstilumab. It is a monoclonal antibody that works to stimulate the body's immune system to attack cancer. The study is a rather significant find, as it’s the first time that a consistent and durable response to immunotherapy has been reported in patients with solid MSS mCRC tumours.

The study was divided into several phases for more than 6 months. In the US trial, around around 101 patients with microsatile stable metastatic colorectal (MSS-mCRC) tumours showed a decrease . Around 61% of the patients experienced tumour shrinkage or stabilization after combined treatment with votancilumab and balstilumab. When it comes to downsides, diarrhea and fatigue were found to be the most common side effects or side effects of this drug.

These results are interesting and open to exploration. To date, immunotherapy has not been effective in patients with CNS-mCRC tumors. This study demonstrates the potential of the combination of botenlimab and balstilimab in the treatment of CNS mCRC, providing new hope for people diagnosed with colon cancer.

What Could This Mean For Bowel Cancer Treatment In The Future

The study is currently in the final stages of clinical trials, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hopes to quickly gain approval for its use because of the importance of this area that affects many people. The efficiency shown demonstrates the potential of botansilimab to contribute to broad antitumor immunity.

All in all, the combination of botensilimab and balstilimab represents a promising new direction in the treatment of colorectal cancer. This breakthrough could improve conditions for many patients worldwide and lights a new hope in the fight against this common disease. The results of this study show the effectiveness of immunotherapy in this field and how its potential to transform cancer treatment can only grow in the years to come.

The Ebola outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus has reached 915 confirmed cases and 210 deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC).

The situation remains serious, with ongoing transmission reported in eastern DRC. Ituri Province continues to be the epicentre of the outbreak, accounting for the majority of confirmed cases in the country. The most affected health zones include Bunia, Mongbwalu, and Rwampara.

North Kivu has reported fewer cases than Ituri but has recorded a higher case-fatality rate, particularly in Katwa and Beni. Health officials say this underscores the need for early detection, safe referrals, quality clinical care, and strengthened infection prevention and control measures.

In Uganda, 19 confirmed cases and two deaths have been reported to date. No new cases have been recorded since June 5, 2026.

Community Mistrust Hindering Response Efforts

Africa CDC has identified several challenges hampering response efforts, including gaps in

• contact tracing,
• shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE)
• essential medical supplies,
• limited ambulance capacity,
• community concerns surrounding isolation,
• post-mortem testing,
• household decontamination.

"Communities are central to stopping this outbreak. The response will only succeed if people trust the information they receive, know where to seek care, and feel that response teams are working with them," Africa CDC said in a statement.

Also read: US FDA Panel Recommends First-Ever mRNA Flu Shot For Older Adults: All About The Moderna Vaccine

WHO Warns Outbreak Is Spreading Rapidly

Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) had warned that the outbreak is spreading rapidly, even as response measures are being intensified.

"The outbreak remains serious and is evolving very fast. However, I have seen a response that is growing stronger every day," said Marie-Roseline Belizaire, WHO Regional Emergencies Director for Africa, speaking to reporters in Bunia, the epicentre of the outbreak.

The WHO estimates that at least 95 per cent of contacts must be traced to effectively contain the outbreak. As per Belizaire, contact tracing has improved to 75 per cent.

Read More: Natural Origin or Lab Leak? Gabbard Reignites COVID Origins Debate, Claims Fauci Funded Wuhan Lab Research

Ebola Outbreak 3 Times Larger

Africa CDC epidemiologist Dr. Wessam Mankoula said the outbreak is approximately three times larger than any previous Ebola outbreak at a similar stage, four weeks after a public health emergency declaration, AP News reported.

Although the outbreak was officially declared on May 15, health officials believe the virus had been circulating undetected for some time beforehand, contributing to its wider spread.

Another major concern is that the outbreak is being driven by the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved antiviral treatments.

Community mistrust of healthcare workers and public health officials, along with reliance on traditional beliefs and healers, is also complicating containment efforts.

The US Food and Drug Administration's independent advisory panel has recommended approval of Moderna's mRNA-based influenza vaccine for older adults.

The panel backed the vaccine, known as mFLUSIVA, for adults aged 50 years and older, concluding that its benefits outweigh its risks.

If ultimately approved by the FDA, mFLUSIVA would become the world's first messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine for seasonal influenza. The development could provide a new tool against a disease that causes an estimated 15 million to 60 million illnesses, 180,000 to 700,000 hospitalizations, and 17,000 to 75,000 deaths annually in the United States, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

What Did The FDA Advisory Panel Decide?

The recommendation came from the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee (VRBPAC), which reviews vaccine applications and advises the FDA.

The meeting marked the committee's first review of a new vaccine application since 2023 and could lead to the first vaccine approval under the second Trump administration.

In a unanimous vote, all nine panel members supported the use of Moderna's mFLUSIVA vaccine for adults aged 50 to 64 years, as well as for those aged 65 years and older—the age group that had previously raised regulatory concerns.

Also read: No Women Aged 20-24 Died of Cervical Cancer in England Over Five Years, Thanks to HPV Vaccine

However, before the vaccine can be made available for the upcoming flu season, it must receive formal FDA approval and be recommended by the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). The CDC advisory panel has not recently convened due to ongoing legal and administrative challenges. An FDA decision on the vaccine is expected by August 5.

How Effective Is Moderna's mRNA Flu Vaccine?

According to Moderna, the vaccine outperformed standard-dose flu vaccines in adults aged 50 to 64 years.

In a large clinical trial involving approximately 40,000 adults aged 50 years and older, Moderna's mRNA vaccine reduced influenza cases by about 27% compared with another routinely used flu vaccine.

The company also conducted a smaller study among adults aged 65 years and older. The results showed that mFLUSIVA generated a strong immune response compared with a high-dose influenza vaccine already recommended for seniors.

FDA adviser Dr. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins University described the immune-response data as "very compelling," adding that "the vaccine looks very promising," AP News reported.

How Does The Vaccine Work?

Read More: Sickle Cell Disease: Why India Must Add Curative Treatment to Meet Its 2047 Elimination Goal

Like Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines, mFLUSIVA uses messenger RNA technology. Rather than introducing a weakened or inactivated virus, mRNA vaccines deliver genetic instructions that help the body's cells produce proteins that trigger an immune response. This approach allows vaccines to be updated more quickly and may improve protection against evolving viruses.

Is The Vaccine Safe?

Moderna's data showed no major safety concerns.

The most commonly reported side effects included:

• Injection-site pain
• Fever
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches

These reactions were generally temporary and are commonly seen with many vaccines. However, they occurred somewhat more frequently than with currently available flu vaccines. FDA reviewers noted that this is typical of mRNA-based vaccines.

What's Next?

If approved, Moderna plans to conduct a large post-approval study involving approximately 400,000 adults aged 65 years and older.

Half of the participants will receive the mRNA vaccine, while the other half will receive one of the currently recommended flu vaccines for seniors. The study is expected to continue across two influenza seasons.

A Moderna executive said the company hopes to make the vaccine available to patients in time for the upcoming flu season, Reuters reported.

Indian President Droupadi Murmu, on the occasion of World Sickle Cell Day 2026, today expressed confidence that the country can eradicate sickle cell disease well before the 2047 target.

Addressing the International Sickle Cell Day commemoration at Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh, President Murmu noted that the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission, launched in 2023, has so far "screened seven crore people, ranging from newborns to those up to 40 years of age."

Calling it "one of the largest initiatives for genetic disease screening in the world," she added that the mission has detected sickle cell disease "in approximately 2.5 lakh people so far, and over 20 lakh carriers of the disease have also been identified."

"Through the collective strength and active engagement of all states, we will succeed in achieving our national goal of eradicating sickle cell-related diseases from the country well before the year 2047," the President said.

The President highlighted three key dimensions of the mission:

• Spreading large-scale awareness and providing pre-marital genetic counselling;
• Identifying the disease in a timely manner through comprehensive screening; and
• Ensuring continuity of care while guaranteeing a holistic approach to management.

She also stressed the need for collective efforts to raise awareness and eliminate the genetic blood disorder, particularly among tribal communities.

Also read: Sickle Cell Disease: Why India Must Add Curative Treatment to Meet Its 2047 Elimination Goal

What Is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects the shape and function of red blood cells. Instead of being round and flexible, the red blood cells become sickle- or crescent-shaped, making it difficult for them to move smoothly through blood vessels.

The chronic single-gene disorder causes a debilitating systemic syndrome characterized by chronic anemia, acute painful episodes, organ infarction, chronic organ damage, and a significant reduction in life expectancy.

"Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of India’s most pressing inherited blood disorders, with an estimated 1 in 86 births among tribal and disadvantaged groups affected," Dr Manisha Madkaikar is Director - ICMR-National Institute for Research on Blood and Immune Disorders – Mumbai, told HealthandMe.

Children living with the condition often experience repeated hospital visits, missed school days and limitations in daily activities. Parents frequently face emotional distress, financial strain and the challenge of managing a lifelong medical condition.

What Is the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program?

Read More:No Women Aged 20-24 Died of Cervical Cancer in England Over Five Years, Thanks to HPV Vaccine

The National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Program, introduced in the Union Budget 2023, focuses on addressing the significant health challenges posed by sickle cell disease, particularly among tribal populations in the country.

Implemented across 17 high-focus states, the programme aims to improve care and outcomes for sickle cell disease patients while reducing the prevalence of the disorder. The states are Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar, and Uttarakhand.

Implemented in mission mode under the National Health Mission (NHM), the program aims to eliminate sickle cell genetic transmission by 2047.

Over a three-year period from 2023-24 to 2025-26, the program targets screening approximately seven crore people, promoting early diagnosis and intervention on a large scale.