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.
Credit: AP
US President Donald Trump has declared himself to be in good health after undertaking the third annual medical check-up in his second term as the oldest American President.
Trump, who turns 80 next month, saw his doctors at the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for a routine health check up on May 26.
“Everything checked out PERFECTLY,” Trump wrote on social media. He has, however, offered no details about what doctors observed.
The White House hasn't so far released details from Trump’s health check up to support his claim, or clarify what tests the president had undergone as part of the clinical exam.
As per an earlier statement from the White House, the visit involved “routine annual dental and medical assessments as part of his regular preventive health care,” but did not offer additional details on the medical exam.
His previous annual check-up was in April 2025. In October, he underwent another check-up.
“You have five doctors sitting there and … the questions are very easy at the beginning, then pretty easy, then pretty hard by the time you get to the end, there are not a lot of people in the room who can get them, believe me,” Trump informed the crowd at a rally in New York state last week about the impending test, The Times reported.
“So the first question was, you have a bear, a snake, an elephant, and a horse. Name the horse. That’s the horse. The second question is a little tougher,” he said.
“Toward the end, they had a question like, pick a number, sir, any number. OK. 203. Multiply times nine, divided by two, add 1324, subtract 1292. Sir, multiply it out one more time by 19. What is the answer, sir? I got it right … and the one doctor said, I’ve been doing this test for 20 years, I’ve never seen anybody ace it. … So I’ve taken it, and I’ve aced it all three times, I’ll tell you, because it is a positive thing.”
Also read: ‘Sea Or See?’ Donald Trump's Remark Sparks Fresh Cognitive Health Speculation
The president’s health has been the subject of intense scrutiny — ranging from his mental state to visible bruising around his hands.
Trump — who has frequently criticized former President Joe Biden over age-related health and fitness issues — has recently remarked on how good he feels despite his age.
Trump said he feels the same as he did 50 years ago. “I feel literally the same,” he said at an Oval Office event. “I don’t know why. It’s not because I eat the best foods,” AP reported.
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He also joked about his exercise regimen, saying that he works out “like about one minute a day, max.”
According to a White House summary of his previous annual medical examination in April last year, Trump was found to be in “excellent cognitive and physical health”.
“A comprehensive neurological examination revealed no abnormalities in his mental status, cranial nerves, motor and sensory functions, reflexes, gait, and balance. Cognitive function, assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), was normal with a score of 30 out of 30,” his White House physician, Captain Sean Barbabella, wrote.
There were tests for depression and anxiety, and Trump recorded a score “within the normal range for both,” although numbers were not given.
Scans in October also demonstrated that Trump is in “excellent overall health”.
Credit: PIB
Amid the rising heatwave conditions in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed his concerns and advised the citizens to stay hydrated.
In a post shared on the social media platform X, PM Modi asked people to take precautions as well as help fellow citizens by offering drinking water.
"Temperatures are continuously rising in different parts of the country, and along with this, the many difficulties caused by the heat in daily life are also increasing. I urge all my fellow citizens to take as many precautions as possible. Please keep yourselves hydrated and carry water with you when stepping out of your homes,” the Prime Minister said.
“In such weather, your sensitivity also becomes a great source of support. If possible, do offer a glass of water to anyone who is thirsty. I also appreciate those people who keep water in pitchers outside their homes and shops so that anyone can drink from them,” he added.
The post comes as the temperature is increasing throughout the country.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature is expected to reach around 45°C on Wednesday, while the minimum may stay close to 28°C.
This extreme heat has become a serious public health challenge, as it affects everything from hydration levels in the body to digestion, the health of your skin, heart, and even mental well-being.
The department has issued a clear warning for a “heatwave.” Strong surface winds are also expected during the afternoon and evening. Humidity levels on May 27 are forecast to vary between 40 per cent at the highest and 25 per cent at the lowest.
Authorities have cautioned that the heatwave may be accompanied by strong, hot winds later in the day. People are advised to stay indoors during peak afternoon hours, remain hydrated, and take necessary measures to avoid direct exposure to sunlight.
Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. L.K Jha, Associate Director & Head Unit-II– Cardiology, Asian Hospital, Faridabad, said how extreme heat levels can increase heart conditions such as palpitations.
“Dehydration contributes to palpitations associated with heatwaves significantly due to excessive sweating, fluid loss, and critical electrolyte loss, which all play key roles in maintaining normal heart rhythm and health of the cardiovascular system. Dehydration causes decreases in blood pressure, forcing the heart to increase its rate during periods of heat exposure if an individual is dehydrated”.
Read Also: Heatwave Hacks: A Complete Survival Plan for Extreme Indian Summer
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According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer causes about 60,000 deaths every year globally. The current estimates also show that about one in five Americans is at risk of having the deadly disease in their lifetime. Though the technology of curing skin cancer is very advanced, the early detection of the disease is still a very crucial aspect in the path to getting a full cure.
And now, the researchers have come up with the smart tattoo technology, which can be a game-changer in this aspect.
A recent research study led by Professor Jinyang Liang from the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), an expert in ultrafast imaging and biophotonics, has shed light on promising smart tattoo technology that can aid in detecting skin cancer. The study was conducted in collaboration between the INRS in Québec and Université de Montréal.
The process that Professor Liang and his team have researched is Single-shot Microneedle-Encoded Upconversion Lifetime Mapping (SMEAR-ULM), which is a great leap forward in skin cancer detection.SMEAR-ULM monitors microscopic temperature changes on the skin surface that signal the pernicious transformations with unprecedented sensitivity.
Skin cancer is, without a doubt, one of the most deadly ailments known to man, and among its three types, melanoma is the most notorious one. Early detection in case of melanoma is very important for its cure. The current state of the treatment process depends heavily on visual examinations and invasive biopsies, which are known to cause discomfort for patients as well as occasional unnecessary interventions due to false positives, and SMEAR-ULM is a possible answer to these problems.
Read Also: Melanoma Is Being Overdiagnosed. Here's Everything You Should Know
Melanoma is a type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its colour. It can occur anywhere on the skin but often develops on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, arms, back, and legs. Melanoma can also appear in less-exposed areas, like the soles of the feet, palms, or under the nails, particularly in individuals with darker skin tones. Although rare, melanoma may develop in the eyes, mouth, or internal organs.
The primary sign of melanoma is a new or changing mole, freckle, or skin lesion. The "ABCDE rule" helps identify suspicious moles:
Additional symptoms may include itching, bleeding, or a sore that doesn’t heal. Prompt medical attention is essential for suspicious skin changes.
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