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 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are investigating a multistate hepatitis A outbreak linked to imported frozen clams.

At least 37 people have been infected across four states, according to the CDC. Thirty people have been hospitalized, while no deaths have been reported.

Cases have been reported in Massachusetts (three), Minnesota (three), New York (27) and Pennsylvania (four). Those infected range in age from 6 to 40 years.

Raw Shellfish Linked to Outbreak

Health officials interviewed people about foods they consumed before falling ill. The CDC said:

“Of the people interviewed, 77% reported eating ceviche (raw fish or shellfish marinated in citrus juice), 76% reported eating raw or undercooked shellfish, and 47% reported eating raw or undercooked conchas negras (black clams),” the CDC said.

Further analysis found that imported frozen clams were the likely source of the infection.

The CDC said the actual number of illnesses is likely higher than the 37 reported cases. Some people may recover without seeking medical care and therefore may not be tested for hepatitis A. Recent illnesses may also not yet have been linked to the outbreak because it can take weeks to determine whether an individual case is part of an outbreak.

Frozen Clam Products Recalled

La Serranita-brand concha negra (black shell) shell meat products were recalled by dealers in New York and New Jersey in April.

The shell meat products, imported from Ecuador, were distributed to restaurants and retailers in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania and may have been distributed elsewhere.

What To Do If You Were Exposed

If you ate frozen La Serranita-brand concha negra shell meat raw or undercooked within the past 14 days and are not vaccinated against hepatitis A, contact your local health department or healthcare provider to discuss treatment, including post-exposure prophylaxis, the CDC said.

What Is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis A virus (HAV). It spreads when people consume food or water contaminated with the virus or through close contact with an infected person. Hepatitis A is preventable through vaccination.

Hepatitis A Symptoms

Not everyone infected with hepatitis A develops symptoms. When symptoms occur, they usually appear 2–7 weeks after exposure and can include:

• Dark urine or clay-colored stools
• Diarrhea
• Feeling tired
• Fever
• Joint pain
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea, stomach pain or vomiting
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)

Adults are more likely than children to develop symptoms. People with hepatitis A may feel sick for several weeks to several months but usually recover completely.

In rare cases, hepatitis A can lead to hospitalization, liver failure and death. Severe disease is more common in older people and those with other serious health conditions, such as chronic liver disease.

President Droupadi Murmu has urged popular film artists not to endorse products that are harmful to health, highlighting their influence on children and young people.

Speaking at the 72nd National Film Awards in Kevadia, Gujarat, the President said successful film artists can influence the choices and habits of millions of young people.

“When successful film artists speak about the benefits of a disciplined lifestyle, millions of children and young people emulate them,” she said.

“I would like to request that popular artists refrain from endorsing substances that are harmful to health,” she added, saying that “a true star is one who spreads light, not darkness”.

Doctors Back President’s Message

Also read: High Sugar, Salt Or Fat? India May Mandate Red Hexagon Labels On Food Packs

The President’s remarks come amid concerns over the influence of celebrity and influencer marketing on health choices, particularly among younger audiences.

Dr Ambrish Mithal, Chairman, Endocrinology and Diabetes, Max HealthCare, welcomed the message.

“There could not be a better message than this- many thanks to our President for saying it out clearly. The impact of such advertising on the minds of the youth is huge. I hope her appeal makes our film stars and sportspersons realise the harm they could be causing. At the same time, discouraging the sale of such products by deterrents for manufacturers and advertisers is much needed,” he said in a post on X.

The issue has also come into focus amid controversies over celebrity endorsements of ultra-processed foods and pan masala-linked products. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration issued show-cause notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff over their appearance in a Vimal Elaichi advertisement.

Doctors Seek Curbs On Junk Food Ads

Read More: Exclusive: From IPL To Olympics — How Sport Became A Marketing Tool For Junk Food And Sugary Drinks

The concerns extend beyond pan masala-linked products to foods and beverages high in fat, salt and sugar, particularly those marketed to children and families.

In August, a group of doctors, medical scientists and public health experts brought together by Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest-India (NAPi) urged the government to restrict advertising of foods high in fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), as well as ultra-processed foods.

In a representation to Union Health Minister J P Nadda, the experts called for restrictions on HFSS and ultra-processed food advertising between 6 am and 11 pm across television, print, digital, streaming and social media.

They also sought mandatory front-of-pack warning labels identifying products high in sugar, salt or fat, along with restrictions on marketing practices aimed at children and families.

India’s Overweight, Obesity Burden Rises

The calls for tighter scrutiny of food marketing come amid rising overweight and obesity levels among Indian adults.

According to NFHS-6 (2023-24), 30.7% of women and 27.3% of men aged 15-49 years were overweight or obese, up from 24% and 22.9%, respectively, in NFHS-5 (2019-21).

NFHS-6 also recorded an increase in high or very high blood sugar, or the use of medication to control blood sugar, among adults aged 15 years and above. The proportion rose from 13.5% to 17.8% among women and from 15.6% to 20.9% among men between NFHS-5 and NFHS-6.

Data from World Obesity Atlas, more than 41 million children aged 5 to 19 in India suffer from high BMI (including 14 million living strictly with obesity).

FSSAI Warns Influencers Over Food Claims

Adding to the scrutiny around food marketing, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) last month cautioned celebrities and social media influencers against promoting misleading or unverified food claims.

FSSAI has warned that promoting misleading or unverified food claims can attract legal consequences.

Kratom is a plant-based product sometimes used as a natural way to boost energy, manage pain or ease opioid withdrawal. It is is showing up frequently among patients in addiction clinics across the US.

According to STAT, at Boulder Care, a telehealth addiction clinic, the number of new patients using kratom increased from 3% in September 2025 to 8% in July 2026, before reaching 14% in August.

Clinicians say the growing problem is not only traditional kratom leaf. Increasingly, patients are using products containing high concentrations of 7-hydroxymitragynine, or 7-OH, a potent compound associated with opioid-like effects.

Dr Ayesha Appa, head of medical affairs at Boulder Care described "the increase as quite an explosion.”

Kratom May Become Addictive

Kratom is made from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, which is found in Southeast Asia. The leaves have traditionally been used for their stimulant and pain-relieving effects. They are now sold in the US as powders, capsules, teas, extracts and other products.

At lower doses, kratom can produce stimulant-like effects, including increased alertness and energy. At higher doses, its effects can become more sedating and produce opioid-like effects.

The plant's main alkaloid is mitragynine. Another compound, 7-OH, occurs naturally in trace amounts in kratom leaf.

Kratom can interact with opioid receptors in the brain, which are involved in pain, reward and dependence. Regular use can therefore make the brain adapt to the substance.

When someone who has developed dependence suddenly stops taking it, withdrawal symptoms can occur, like irritability, restlessness, muscle aches, fatigue, sweating and other flu-like symptoms.

The FDA says epidemiological evidence suggests that some people develop substance use disorder after using kratom, although it also notes that the abuse potential of kratom has not been fully characterised in well-designed human studies.

Also read: Warning Letter Sent To Companies Selling Illegal Opioid Compound

7-OH Is Particularly Concerning

7-OH is different from the small amounts naturally present in ordinary kratom leaf. Some products now sold as kratom contain concentrated 7-OH, including tablets, gummies, drink shots and other products.

The FDA describes these products as potent opioids, warning that they have not been proven safe or effective for any medical use.

The American College of Medical Toxicology says clinical experience has linked 7-OH with opioid-like effects, including intoxication, respiratory depression, dependence and withdrawal.

CDC data show that kratom-related poison-center reports increased dramatically over the past decade. US poison centers recorded 3,434 kratom exposure reports in 2025, compared with 258 in 2015, an approximately 1,200% increase. Hospitalisations following single-substance kratom exposures also rose from 43 in 2015 to 538 in 2025.

The shift toward concentrated products is another concern. Poison Centers reported 901 exposures involving 7-OH between January and June 2026, compared with 593 during all of 2025.

Also read: Kratom Leaves in a ‘Wellness Drink’ Is Making People Addicted; Influencer Calls Out, Hundreds Join In

Traditional Kratom And 7-OH

Traditional kratom leaf contains a mixture of naturally occurring alkaloids, including mitragynine and small amounts of 7-OH. Commercial 7-OH products can contain far higher concentrations of the compound.

The stronger products may produce more pronounced opioid-like effects and carry greater risks of dependence and withdrawal.

Kratom is also not an FDA-approved treatment for pain, opioid withdrawal or any other medical condition. Its long-term effects remain vague.