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.
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Women diagnosed with polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) should receive an annual NHS health review and be diagnosed earlier to reduce their long-term health risks, according to draft guidance released by the UK's National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
The guidance, now open for public consultation, recommends yearly reviews to monitor symptoms, treatment and the risk of developing serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Earlier diagnosis, NICE says, could help people access timely care and make lifestyle changes before complications develop.
PMOS, until recently known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), was renamed following an international consensus published in The Lancet. The new name better reflects the condition's endocrine, metabolic and ovarian features.
Also read: PCOS Is Now PMOS: What The Name Change Means For Millions Of Women
NICE recommends that everyone diagnosed with PMOS should be offered an annual review covering:
The guideline also includes recommendations on fertility treatment, stating that eligible patients should be offered IVF in line with existing NHS fertility guidance. It also addresses the management of common PMOS-related conditions, including acne, hirsutism and obstructive sleep apnea.
Given the increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in people with PMOS, the guidance directs healthcare professionals to relevant NICE recommendations for managing these conditions.
Read More: Teplizumab: UK NHS To Roll Out World-First Drug To Delay Onset Of Type 1 Diabetes
The draft guideline highlights that PMOS remains underdiagnosed despite affecting an estimated one in eight women.
It recommends investigating PMOS in anyone with irregular or absent menstrual cycles alongside signs of excess male hormones, as these are common indicators of the condition.
The guidance covers girls aged over 10, as well as adult women, trans men and non-binary people who are not receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy or surgery.
People with suspected PMOS should be offered blood tests to measure hormone levels and, where appropriate, pelvic ultrasound scans. The guideline also states that PMOS should not be ruled out after menopause and notes that the condition may be more prevalent among women of Black, Asian and mixed ethnic backgrounds.
Marie Anne Ledingham, consultant clinical adviser for women's and reproductive health at NICE, said the guidance is intended to improve consistency of care and ensure people receive appropriate long-term monitoring.
"PMOS is a common but often overlooked condition that can have a major impact on health and well-being. Recommending a simple annual review is an important step towards ensuring people get the ongoing care and monitoring they need," Ledingham said, in a statement.
The draft guidance recognizes that PMOS affects far more than reproductive health. It is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnoea, pregnancy complications and fertility problems.
For people planning a pregnancy, NICE recommends advice on achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, balanced nutrition, regular exercise, good sleep and mental wellbeing to improve reproductive outcomes.
The guidance also stresses that eating disorders should not be overlooked or dismissed based solely on a person's weight.
While the draft guideline includes recommendations to manage hirsutism, it does not support routine NHS funding for laser and light-based hair removal therapies. NICE concluded that these treatments are not cost-effective, estimating they could cost the NHS "up to £100 million annually" in England if routinely funded.
The draft guideline is open for consultation until August 11, 2026, with the final NICE guidance on PMOS expected to be published in December 2026.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a prevention advisory against West Nile virus as the transmission season has begun early and more intensely. As of June 30, the virus has been detected in at least 23 states, with most in Arizona, making this season the widest geographic spread this early in the season in a decade.
At least 48 confirmed cases of West Nile virus were reported in the US. 38 of them are neuroinvasive (severe) cases, making it the strongest season in two decades.
Arizona has recorded the highest number of infections, particularly in Maricopa County, where 32 cases and four deaths have been reported. The first case of 2026 emerged in California’s Long Beach.
Authorities have warned, saying that senior citizens and people with weakened immune systems remain at the highest risk.
The CDC has issued a prevention advisory to control West Nile virus. It includes:
Also read: Scientific Breakthrough: US Scientists Create First Synthetic Cell That Eats and Reproduces
West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus that belongs to the flavivirus family, the same group that includes the viruses causing Dengue fever, Zika virus disease, Yellow fever, and Japanese encephalitis.
It is primarily spread through the bite of an infected Culex mosquito. Mosquitoes become infected after feeding on infected birds, which are the virus's first host. About 80% infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms. About 20% develop West Nile fever.
Its common symptoms include:
The disease could become serious in a few infected people who may develop its neuroinvasive disease. In this situation, the virus affects the brain, spinal cord, or surrounding tissues. Severe complications include encephalitis (brain inflammation), meningitis, and acute flaccid paralysis.
Also read: The Lancet: Young Adults With Obesity Face Higher Heart Risk; Statins Benefit Older Adults
The symptoms of severe West Nile virus include most of the commons ones as well as:
Mosquito populations usually do not thrive in cold weather. A warmer winter in several parts of the U.S. meant more mosquito populations survived into spring, leading to early breeding and virus transmission.
Warm spring weather speeds up mosquito breeding. The virus becomes active enough to reach infectious levels in warmer mosquitoes, shortening the time between when a mosquito becomes infected and when it can spread the virus to humans.
In most regions, warm weather is followed by periods of rain, creating ideal habitats for mosquitoes to breed.
Longer mosquito seasons are usually due to a milder-than-average warm climate. Warm temperatures also help the mosquito population to expand in newer regions. This leads to faster viral development and more cases of infection.
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Ugandan health authorities have confirmed an isolated case of Marburg virus disease (MVD) in a young child who died from the highly infectious viral hemorrhagic fever.
The case comes as Uganda is already battling an outbreak of Ebola virus disease, another viral hemorrhagic fever.
According to the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Marburg infection was detected during surveillance for the ongoing Ebola outbreak, Reuters reported.
Health officials said no contacts of the child have developed symptoms, and there are currently no active Marburg cases in the East African nation.
While a spokesperson for Uganda's Ministry of Health said they were unaware of a Marburg outbreak, the World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed it was notified of the case on June 30.
"WHO has requested further information and is supporting the local response, including case investigation, active case finding, contact tracing and community engagement," a WHO spokesperson said.
Also read: Scientific Breakthrough: US Scientists Create First Synthetic Cell That Eats and Reproduces
According to Africa CDC, the case was identified in Kyegegwa district in western Uganda in a 1½-year-old child who later died.
"Africa CDC is engaging the Government of Uganda through official public health channels on reports concerning Marburg virus disease. At this stage, we cannot confirm reports of any additional case," Africa CDC spokesperson Saran Koly said.
"Africa CDC stands ready to support verification, risk assessment and response readiness as needed."
Uganda last reported a Marburg outbreak in 2017 and has experience of managing three previous outbreaks. However, responding to a potential Marburg outbreak while simultaneously battling Ebola could complicate public health efforts.
So far, Uganda has reported a total of 20 cases of the rare Bundibugyo species of Ebola, including two deaths. Of these, 15 cases were imported from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The child's age has prompted questions about how the infection occurred. Abraar Karan, a global health physician and researcher at Stanford University, said infection in a toddler is unusual.
"Quite unusual -- I would suspect transmission from someone else, but there are some less-likely scenarios in which spillover could still have happened directly to a toddler," he wrote in a post on X.
Read More: WHO Issues First Clinical Care Guidelines On Ebola And Marburg Disease
Marburg virus disease belongs to the same virus family as Ebola and can cause severe hemorrhagic fever. It was first recognized in 1967. MVD has a high case fatality rate ranging from 32 per cent to 88 per cent. It is transmitted to humans after a spill-over event from a wildlife reservoir such as Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats or their feces or contact with infected primates
Once a person is infected, the virus spreads through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids or contaminated materials of an infected person.
Common Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms usually begin suddenly and include:
In severe cases, patients may develop internal and external bleeding, organ failure and shock, which can be fatal.
There is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for Marburg virus disease, although several vaccines and therapies are under development. Early supportive care can improve survival.
Health authorities recommend:
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