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.

After 13 years of wait, on March 24, at 4.10pm, Harish Rana took his last breath in AIIMS Delhi and became the very first case of passive euthanasia in India. Two days after the Supreme Court permitted euthanasia in his case, on March 14 he was shifted to AIIMS Delhi and his life support was withdrawn. He waited for ten days without any life support.

Harish Rana Donates Heart Valves and Cornea

News agency ANI also noted that his family donated his corneas and heart valves after his death. As per the Association for Advancing Tissue and Biologics, heart valves can be donated after death and used in life-saving and life-enhancing transplants. The National Institutes of Health notes that valves are typically removed within 24 hours of death.

NHS Organ Donation notes that since corneas do not contain blood vessels, it eliminates the risk of transmitting most types of diseases. The donated cornea could be used for patients experiencing corneal blindness or damage to restore sight. The cornea is usually removed in a 15-minute procedure after 6 to 8 hours of death.

Read: Harish Rana, India’s First Passive Euthanasia Case, Dies at AIIMS

Harish Rana - First Case of Passive Euthanasia In India

It was in 2013 when he suffered severe head injuries after he fell from the fourth floor from his PG accommodation while he was studying at Panjab University. He had been bedridden ever since, and survived on feeding tube. His father filed a petition seeking passive euthanasia under the guidelines Supreme Court had laid down in 2018 under Common Cause judgment. This is the second time the parents have approached the apex court.

In 2024, the court also suggested that Rana could receive home-based care with support from the Uttar Pradesh government. The home-based care includes periodic visits by doctors and physiotherapists. The court suggested that in case home care was not feasible, he could be moved to Noida's district hospital. However, his parents have noted that his condition continued to worsen. Family advocate Rashmi Nandakumar also informed the bench that "nothing seems to be working out".

"He is falling ill quite often and is repeatedly admitted to hospital," she said. The advocate further added that the family only sought passive euthanasia, which is withdrawal of treatment, and not any active intervention.

Justice Pardiwala also read medical reports and observed, "Just look at the condition of the boy. It's pathetic."

Recent court ruling on this case involved a bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan that allowed the withdrawal of life support for Harish Rana.

European health agencies are flagging a rise in infections caused by Shigella infection among travellers returning from Cape Verde, prompting renewed focus on hygiene and food safety during international travel.

What is Shigella and why is it concerning?

Shigella is a highly infectious bacteria that causes gastrointestinal illness, commonly known as shigellosis. Symptoms typically include diarrhea, fever and stomach cramps, which can range from mild to severe. Globally, the burden is significant. Estimates suggest around 188 million cases occur each year, leading to over 1.6 lakh deaths.

The infection spreads easily through contact with contaminated food, water or surfaces, and even through person-to-person transmission. This makes it particularly concerning in travel settings such as hotels and resorts, where shared facilities are common.

Cases linked to Cape Verde travel

Health authorities in Europe have observed a noticeable uptick in travel-related infections. According to surveillance data, the UK Health Security Agency reported 158 cases since October 2025, with a majority linked to international travel. Among these, most travellers had recently visited Cape Verde, particularly popular tourist areas like Santa Maria and Boa Vista.

Similarly, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has tracked hundreds of cases across multiple countries, including the UK, France, Sweden and the Netherlands. Investigations suggest that many infections are caused by a specific strain of Shigella sonnei, indicating a possible common source or ongoing transmission route.

However, authorities note that while the numbers are higher than expected, the situation does not necessarily meet the threshold of a large-scale outbreak.

Is it an outbreak or not?

There is a difference in how the situation is being interpreted. European agencies have described it as an outbreak due to the rise above typical background levels. In contrast, Cape Verde’s public health officials maintain that their surveillance systems have not detected an outbreak.

Local authorities point out that cases of diarrhea can increase in hotel settings worldwide and that not all rapid tests used in private clinics are specific to Shigella. More detailed investigations are currently underway to determine the exact source of infections.

Who is most at risk?

Certain groups are more vulnerable to infection. These include young children, people with weakened immunity, and those travelling abroad. Experts also note that exposure risk increases in environments where hygiene practices may vary.

Interestingly, many affected travellers were staying in high-end, all-inclusive resorts, suggesting that even premium accommodations are not immune to such risks.

Travel advice and precautions

Despite the concerns, Cape Verde’s tourism authorities continue to emphasize that the destination remains safe. With over 1.2 million visitors annually, including a large number from the UK, officials argue that the proportion of infections remains relatively small.

Health experts agree that the focus should be on prevention rather than avoidance. Simple measures can significantly reduce risk. These include frequent handwashing, using hand sanitizers, and consuming freshly cooked, well-heated food. Avoiding raw or undercooked items and being cautious with water sources is also recommended.

Travel medicine specialists highlight that gastrointestinal illness is relatively common during international travel, especially in warmer destinations. In fact, a significant proportion of travellers may experience some form of digestive issue during their trips.

New Delhi: Harish Rana, India's first person to receive legal approval for passive euthanasia, passed away at AIIMS, New Delhi, on Tuesday evening, PTI reported. This comes after the Supreme Court allowed the withdrawal of the life-support system, thereby putting an end to an emotional chapter for the family. He had been in a vegetative state for over 13 years, with almost no hope of recovery. Doctors, after the Supreme Court's approval, removed the life-support tubes, thereby allowing him to die naturally. Passive euthanasia refers to withholding or withdrawing life-support treatment for a patient with little or no hope of recovery, allowing him or her to die naturally.

Read more: 'Sabko Maaf Karte Hue...Tum Jao': Emotional Farewell to Harish Rana After Supreme Court Allows ‘Right to Die with Dignity’

The apex court had granted permission for this on March 11 this year, thereby allowing the withdrawal of medical intervention under Article 21 to keep him alive. The Article gives the right to live with dignity. After the verdict, Rana was moved to AIIMS Delhi, where doctors followed a legally approved procedure to discontinue artificial life support.

Who is Harish Rana?

Harish Rana was a BTech student at Panjab University. In 2013, he reportedly fell from the fourth floor of a paying guest accommodation and suffered a traumatic brain injury. This left him 100% disabled and in a vegetative state. He required round-the-clock medical attention for survival and was being fed through a PEG (percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy) tube. Doctors had been treating him for the past few years while maintaining that there were almost no chances of recovery.

A decade of suffering

For Harish Rana, the suffering last over a decade - 13 years of suffering silently. Hailing from Ghaziabad, for him it all began after a catastrophic fall from the fourth floor. Since then, he was in a coma unable to communicate or move apart from involuntary gulps and raqre flickering of his eyes. His parents approached the judiciary to put an end to the endless cycle of pain that their son could not even express. On March 11, the Supreme Court granted Rana hte right to 'die with dignity', thereby marking a first-ever case of passive euthanasia. The verdict allows doctors to remove support tubes that keep a patient in a vegetative state. On March 16, at AIIMS, Rana received an emotional farewell and was removed from life support.