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.

At 80, Donald Trump is the oldest person to serve as president of the United States. Scrutiny surrounding his physical and cognitive health has received heightened attention in recent years, particularly following former President Joe Biden's decision to end his 2024 reelection campaign due to age and fitness.

Trump's recent post on Truth Social has sparked concerns about his health again.

Donald Trump’s Physical At Walter Reed

In a recent post, US President Donald Trump said that his latest physical examination at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center came out clean, renewing public attention on his health and wellness.

Trump wrote, “I just finished a perfect physical at Walter Reed... I do it every six months, and I requested another Cognitive Test... I aced them all. Got every question right.” He also reiterated that “everything checked out perfectly.”

After Trump's post sparked confusion over whether he had undergone a medical checkup recently, the White House clarified that he was referring to the physical examination conducted in May.

Trump's Official Medical Report

Following the May examination, White House physician Capt. Sean Barbabella released a medical memorandum stating: “President Donald Trump remains in excellent health, demonstrating strong cardiac, pulmonary, neurological, and overall physical function.”

According to the report:

• Trump scored 30 out of 30 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
• His heart scan reportedly showed no abnormalities.
• Laboratory tests and vital signs were within normal limits.
• Physicians recommended continuing preventive measures, including regular physical activity, weight management, and a low-dose aspirin regimen.

The report noted improvement in previously observed lower-leg swelling associated with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition the White House disclosed last year.

The White House attributed the visible bruises on Trump's hands to frequent handshaking while taking aspirin for cardiovascular prevention. They physician further stated that Trump is currently on medication to manage his cholesterol levels.

“The President remains up to date on all appropriate preventive screenings and immunizations,” Barbabella stated. “Routine cancer screenings, cardiovascular risk assessment, and metabolic evaluations are current and within recommended intervals. Preventive counseling was provided, including guidance on diet, recommendation to take a low-dose aspirin, increased physical activity, and continued weight loss.”

Trump’s Health Under Scrutiny

Trump's post come weeks after New York Times reporters Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan’s new discussed concerns raised by some aides about his age, stamina, and endurance. In the post, Trump dismissed those claims, bashing Haberman reporting.

The president's health has also drawn scrutiny in recent months. He was recently seen with a visible neck rash and a bruised right hand that appeared to be covered with makeup during the 2026 NATO Summit in Türkiye.

Trump also appeared unsteady on his feet, particularly while using stairs. During the summit's welcome ceremony, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, 72, was seen taking Trump by the arm and guiding him into position.

The White House Dismissed Trump’s Health Concerns

Also read: Under HHS's 'Make Hospital Food Healthier' Pledge, Trump Administration Pushes Hospitals To Offer Healthier Food

The White House has repeatedly dismissed concerns, attributing the bruising to the physical demands of Trump's public schedule.

“President Trump is the sharpest, most accessible, and energetic president in American history,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement provided to The Independent. “The President is a man of the people and he meets more Americans and shakes their hands on a daily basis than any other President in history.”

The White House previously said the swelling in his legs was due to chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition affecting blood flow in the legs.

In a major regulatory move, the Centre has tightened the rules governing the sale of oral medicinal formulations with high alcohol content. The move is aimed at curbing the misuse of alcohol-containing medicines.

Medicines With Over 12% Alcohol Cannot Be Sold Over The Counter

Under the amended Drugs Rules, 1945, medicines containing more than 12% v/v ethyl alcohol and sold in quantities exceeding 30 mL can no longer be purchased over the counter and will now require a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced that these products have been removed from the exemptions provided under Schedule K of the Drugs Rules.

As a result, manufacturers and sellers must now comply with these amendments under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, while pharmacies will be allowed to dispense these medicines only against a doctor's prescription.

The amended rules also place these formulations under Schedule H1, a category that mandates stricter controls on the sale of medicines. Pharmacies will be required to maintain detailed records of such sales, including the prescribing doctor's details and the identity of the purchaser.

Also read: Before You Take Another Paracetamol, Read This: Doctors Explain the Hidden Risks

A Step Towards Preventing Misuse

Certain oral formulations, including tinctures of cardamom, ginger and other aromatic preparations, have historically been exempt from licensing requirements despite containing alcohol levels that can reach as high as 80% to 90% by volume.

Officials said these products have increasingly been susceptible to misuse for intoxication, prompting requests from several state governments for tighter regulation.

The Health Ministry emphasized that the new rules are designed to ensure that these medicines remain available for legitimate therapeutic purposes while reducing opportunities for abuse.

By bringing them under the regulated pharmaceutical supply chain, the government expects to improve accountability from manufacturers to retailers and strengthen patient safety.

Not A Blanket Ban On All Alcohol-Containing Medicines

Importantly, the amendment does not amount to a blanket ban on alcohol-containing medicines. Products that contain 12% or less ethyl alcohol, or those packaged in quantities up to 30 mL, are not covered by the new restriction. The revised rules specifically target higher-alcohol formulations sold in larger volumes, which authorities believe carry a greater risk of misuse.

The Ministry also issued clarification about homeopathy medicines that tend to contain high amounts of alcohol. It said that homeopathy already has a similar rule in place since 1994.

Here is section: 106B. [Prohibition of quantity and percentage. [Inserted by G.S.R. 108(E), dated 22.2.1994 (w.e.f. 22.6.1994).] - No Homeopathic medicine containing more than 12% alcohol v/v (Ethyl Alcohol) shall be packed and sold in packing or bottles of more than 30 millilitres, except that it may be sold to hospitals/dispensaries in packings or bottles of not more than 100 millilitres.]

The decision is a push to promote responsible use of medicines while addressing concerns over self-medication and substance misuse.

The government maintains that these regulations will help safeguard public health without affecting access to patients who genuinely need these medicines.

Actress Shamita Shetty recently opened up about her endometriosis diagnosis as well as navigating perimenopause. It has sparked concerns about delayed detection of the condition and risks associated with it.

Shamita Shetty’s Endometriosis Diagnosis

Speaking to Soha Ali Khan on her podcast All About Her alongside gynecological surgeon Dr. Neeta Warty, Shetty shared how her symptoms were dismissed repeatedly, leaving her searching for answers until the pain became unbearable and impossible to ignore.

She said that years of unexplained pain delayed her diagnosis, making her question whether what she was experiencing was simply a “normal” part of being a woman.

Shetty said routine medical tests initially failed to confirm the condition. As her health reports checked fine, she assumed her symptoms were ordinary, even as they kept returning.

“I wasn't given the right diagnosis initially,” Shetty said, explaining that she underwent standard gynecological examinations, including Pap smears, but no underlying cause was identified.

The actress said her symptoms intensified significantly in the months leading up to surgery. Although she considers herself to have a high pain tolerance due to previous injuries, she realized something was seriously wrong when the pain began waking her from sleep. After further investigations, she got diagnosed with endometriosis.

Shetty also revealed that she was entering perimenopause around the same time her symptoms of endometriosis worsened, making it difficult to distinguish between hormonal changes and signs of endometriosis.

Also read: World Population Day: How America's Falling Birth Rate Is Redefining Women's Healthcare?

Raising Awareness

Shetty underwent surgery for endometriosis in May 2024 and has since used her platform to encourage women not to ignore persistent pelvic pain.

During the podcast, she also addressed outdated advice that women with endometriosis should “have a baby” to solve the condition, recalling that one doctor suggested pregnancy as a treatment.

Shetty's diagnosis underscores the importance of paying attention to persistent symptoms rather than dismissing them as ordinary menstrual discomfort.

Severe period pain that disrupts daily activities, chronic pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, heavy menstrual bleeding, or difficulty becoming pregnant should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

About Endometriosis And Perimenopause

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

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The condition often requires long-term management. It can cause symptoms like:

• Pevere pelvic pain
• Painful periods
• Infertility
• Inflammation

On the other hand, perimenopause, the transitional period before menopause, can bring symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and hormonal fluctuations.

If diagnosed late, endometriosis can lead to complications like:

• Chronic pelvic pain that could worsen over time.
• Reduced fertility or infertility.
• Progression of the disease that could lead to larger lesions and ovarian cysts.
• Scar tissue (adhesions) that can cause organs to stick together.
• More complex surgeries.
• Bowel or bladder complications if the disease spreads beyond the uterus.
• Mental health effects, including anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life.

Recent Advancements In Endometriosis Diagnosis

According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects around 190 million women and girls worldwide, or 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.

The organization notes that many women experience diagnostic delays because symptoms are frequently normalized or mistaken for other conditions.

To curb this, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) recently rolled out two non-invasive tests — the saliva-based Endotest and the gut sensor-based EndoSure — to help speed up the diagnosis of endometriosis in England and Wales.

Endotest analyses a saliva sample to identify tiny biological markers called microRNAs that can indicate whether endometriosis is likely to be present.

EndoSure is a non-invasive test that detects endometriosis by measuring electrical signals in the gut using sensor pads placed on the abdomen.

For this test, patients fast for six to eight hours before the test and drink water until full during the 45-minute procedure to help the device accurately record gut activity. Results are available immediately after the test.