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.

In just over six months of 2026, the US has reported 2,260 confirmed measles cases, according to the latest update from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Of the total cases, 2,245 were reported across 44 jurisdictions, while 15 cases were identified among international visitors to the US.

34 Measles Outbreaks Reported by Mid-July

The CDC has recorded 34 measles outbreaks so far this year. Overall, 93% of confirmed cases (2,108 of 2,260) are linked to outbreaks, including 741 cases from outbreaks that began in 2026 and 1,367 cases from outbreaks that started in 2025.

By comparison, the US reported 2,289 confirmed measles cases during all of 2025. Of these, 2,263 cases were reported across 45 jurisdictions, while 26 cases occurred among international visitors.

In 2025, the CDC recorded 48 outbreaks, with 90% of cases (2,066 of 2,289) linked to outbreaks. In 2024, the country reported 16 outbreaks, with 69% of cases (198 of 285) associated with outbreaks.

Also read:13.5 Million Children Remain Zero-Dose In 2025 Despite Global Vaccination Gains: UN Report

Children and Teenagers Most Affected

Of the 2,260 confirmed cases reported in 2026:

• 20% are among children aged 5 years and younger.
• 70% are among children and young adults up to 19 years of age.
• 6% of patients have been hospitalized, down from 10% in 2025.
• 93% of patients were either unvaccinated or had an unknown vaccination status.

US Risks Losing Measles Elimination Status

The US, which achieved measles elimination status in 2000, could lose that designation later this year if sustained transmission continues.

From January 1 to April 16, the CDC reported 1,748 confirmed measles cases across 33 jurisdictions.

Utah Reports Highest Active Outbreak

Utah continues to report the country's largest active outbreak. The state added three new cases, bringing its 2026 total to 510, although the CDC's measles tracker lists 518 cases.

Pennsylvania confirmed eight new cases, bringing its state total to 109, while the CDC map lists 110 cases. Virginia reported no new cases this week after adding 22 cases last week, with a cumulative total of 177 cases. Idaho reported one new case, raising its 2026 total to 24.

Read More: England Confirms Third Measles Death: NHS Launches Catch-Up MMRV Vaccination Drive

What Is Measles?

Measles is an extremely contagious viral disease caused by the measles virus, a member of the Morbillivirus genus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) states that measles primarily affects children. The virus first infects the respiratory tract before spreading throughout the body.

Measles Symptoms:

Symptoms typically appear 10 to 14 days after exposure and usually last 4 to 7 days. Common symptoms include:

• High fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Rash covering the body

Why Vaccination Matters

The WHO has maintained that vaccination is the most effective way to prevent measles and notes that disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to setbacks in measles surveillance and immunization programs worldwide.

Vaccination rates have also been affected by growing vaccine hesitancy, with anti-vaccination groups discouraging MMR vaccination.

According to the WHO, measles vaccination alone has accounted for more than 60% of all childhood lives saved by vaccines worldwide over the past 50 years.

One dose of the MMR vaccine provides about 95% protection against measles. A second dose, usually given between 4 and 6 years of age, increases protection to about 99%.

The second dose also provides 99% protection against rubella and 88% protection against mumps, making the two-dose schedule the global standard.

In a major boost to India's fight against cervical cancer, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed SHetA2, an indigenous drug candidate designed to treat HPV-induced cervical dysplasia and cervical cancer.

The novel anti-HPV therapeutic is being developed to treat Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN)— a precancerous condition caused by persistent human papillomavirus (HPV) infection— to prevent progression to invasive cervical cancer.

SHetA2: Developed Through India-US Collaboration

SHetA2 was developed through a collaboration between Dr. Showket Hussain of the ICMR-National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (ICMR-NICPR) and Dr. Doris M. Benbrook of the Stephenson Cancer Center, University of Oklahoma, USA.

It is a first-in-class targeted therapeutic candidate that selectively eliminates HPV-induced precancerous and cervical cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. The technology has the potential to provide a safe, affordable and minimally invasive treatment option.

Under the Medical Innovations Patent Mitra (MITRA) initiative, ICMR has licensed SHetA2 to Emcure Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

Also read: Cervical Cancer Cases In India Drop 37% Over A Decade, Highlighting Impact Of Screening & HPV Vaccination

How SHetA2 Works

SHetA2 is being evaluated for the treatment of HPV-induced cervical dysplasia and established cervical cancer. According to the ICMR, treating cervical dysplasia at the precancerous stage could significantly reduce the risk of progression to invasive cancer by enabling earlier intervention.

According to ICMR, SHetA2:

• Selectively targets HPV-driven oncogenesis while sparing normal cells.
• Has demonstrated strong safety, tolerability and improved bioavailability in preclinical and Phase I studies.
• Can be administered orally or as a vaginal suppository, making it a cost-effective, non-invasive, take-home therapy suitable for global use, including low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Suppresses abnormal cell growth without the tissue destruction associated with current ablative treatments.
• Has shown no toxicity in preclinical studies while aiming to prevent progression from precancerous lesions to cervical cancer.
• Inhibits HPV-induced tumour growth by suppressing high-risk HPV E6/E7 oncoproteins through disruption of HSP70 interactions.
• Has shown promising results in in vitro, preclinical and ongoing Human Phase I trials in the United States, supporting its potential role in global cervical cancer elimination.

What Is Cervical Dysplasia?

Read More: Affordable India-Made HPV Test Offers Hope For Early Cervical Cancer Detection

According to the Cleveland Clinic, cervical dysplasia is a precancerous condition caused by HPV infection in which abnormal cells develop on the surface of the cervix. It is also known as Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN).

Without treatment, cervical dysplasia can progress to cervical cancer. However, early detection and treatment can prevent abnormal cells from becoming cancerous.

• CIN 1 usually resolves on its own and rarely progresses to cancer.
• CIN 2 and CIN 3 are more likely to require treatment to prevent cervical cancer.

Declining Cervical Cancer Burden in India

The latest estimates show that annual cervical cancer cases in India have declined from approximately 1.27 lakh to around 79,000, marking a significant public health milestone in reducing the burden of one of the country's most common cancers among women.

Dr. Sandeep Nayak, Chairman of Oncology, MACS-Renova Oncology Institute, KIMS Hospital, said the development of SHetA2 is a major step toward indigenous innovation and self-reliance in India's fight against cervical cancer.

He noted that "for decades, pre-invasive conditions such as CIN or Stage 0 cervical carcinoma have been managed through surgical procedures including LEEP, laser ablation and cold knife conization. While effective, these treatments can affect cervical competence and future pregnancy outcomes in some women".

According to Dr. Nayak, SHetA2 represents a shift from surgical destruction to non-invasive medical management. As a potential oral or localized therapy, it could eliminate precancerous cells while preserving healthy tissue and cervical structure, an important advantage for younger women who wish to retain fertility.

He added that SHetA2 may also pave the way for targeted therapies against other HPV-associated diseases, including penile and anal intraepithelial neoplasia, as well as certain head and neck cancers.

India continues to battle one of the world's highest burdens of preterm births. Early identification of critically ill newborns remains crucial for improving survival rates, particularly in hospitals with limited resources.

A new Indian study says that Clinical Risk Index for Babies-II (CRIB-II) score is an effective tool for predicting mortality risk among preterm newborns admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

The research, conducted by doctors at JK Lone Hospital in Jaipur and published in the International Journal of Paediatric Research, can help preterm babies receive faster treatment and enable better use of neonatal intensive care resources.

What Is The CRIB-II score?

• Birth weight
• Gestational age
• Baby's body temperature at admission
• Blood acid-base status
• Sex of the baby

The higher the score, the greater the risk of severe illness or death.

What Did The Study Find?

Researchers studied 181 premature newborns admitted to the tertiary care hospital. The babies had an average gestational age of 28.88 weeks and an average birth weight of 1.01 kg. The analysis showed a clear relationship between CRIB-II scores and outcomes:

• 0 to 5: Low risk
• 6 to 10: Moderate risk
• 11 to 15: High risk
• Above 15: Very high risk

Babies with higher CRIB-II scores were significantly more likely to die than those with lower scores, suggesting that the scoring system can accurately identify newborns requiring immediate intensive care.

Early Risk Assessment Can Save Lives

Also read: Beyond The Bump: Why Preconceptions And Antenatal Care Are Key To A Healthy Pregnancy

Dr. Yogesh Yadav, paediatric specialist and one of the study's researchers, said the score enables doctors to make critical treatment decisions within the first few hours after admission.

"If we calculate the CRIB-II score at the time of admission, we can understand the seriousness of the baby's condition. This helps doctors decide the right treatment direction early and increases the chances of saving the baby."

He added that the score is more than simply a predictor of mortality. "CRIB-II is not just a score to predict death risk, but an important scientific tool for decision-making in the NICU. In the first few hours, we can identify which newborn is at high risk."

The researchers believe the scoring system could be particularly valuable across India, where NICUs often face shortages of beds, ventilators and trained neonatal staff.

According to Dr. Yadav: "When beds, ventilators or trained staff are limited, babies with higher scores can be given priority in the NICU. It also helps in deciding which newborns need to be referred immediately to higher centres."

The score can also improve communication with families by helping clinicians provide clearer information about a baby's condition and expected prognosis.

"Through CRIB-II, we can give parents a clearer and more accurate understanding of the baby's condition, possible outcomes and treatment needs."

Although CRIB-II has been used internationally for years, the latest Indian findings add to growing evidence supporting its use in neonatal intensive care.