Cancer drugs equally effective for elderly as young, research shows – and other top health stories

Older adults respond just as well to immune checkpoint inhibitors – drugs that help the immune system better target cancer cells – as younger patients, according to a new study published in Nature Communications.

The research, led by Dr Daniel Zabransky of Johns Hopkins University, U.S., found that despite age-related changes in the immune system, such as reduced cytokine production and fewer "naive" T cells, older patients responded well to these therapies.

Cancer is particularly prevalent in older populations, with more than half of all new cancer diagnoses and 72% of cancer-related deaths occurring in those over 65. This study highlights the promise of immune checkpoint inhibitors in treating cancer across age groups, offering hope for more effective therapies for older adults, the authors say.

Germany and the European Union (EU) have launched two key initiatives to harness artificial intelligence (AI) and digital innovation in healthcare, according to a new article in npj Digital Medicine.

The European Health Data Space, covering all 449 million EU citizens, aims to make electronic health records securely accessible for individual care and research. It seeks to enhance healthcare and support scientific progress under a unified legal and technical framework.

At the national level, Germany’s Health Data Lab will provide pseudonymized data from about 75 million people – 90% of the population – boosting AI, precision medicine and public health research with large-scale real-world health data.

The authors highlight how Germany’s federated system already allows access to emergency care data from millions of patients while respecting strict privacy laws like the GDPR.

These efforts are part of a broader European strategy to build a learning health system that continuously improves through data-driven insights, they say.

The role of AI and digitalization will also be discussed at the World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2025 on 28 April, where the International Labour Organization will host a live event on how these technologies are reshaping occupational safety across sectors.

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to make clinical trials quicker, more inclusive, and better integrated into health systems. This goal took centre stage at the second Global Clinical Trials Forum in Geneva, where over 100 global stakeholders met to turn new WHO guidance into national reforms. The event supports the Guidance for Best Practices for Clinical Trials and World Health Assembly Resolution WHA75.8.

Drone technology is ensuring the delivery of malaria vaccines to remote communities in Nigeria, reaching 20,000 children since the initiative began in February 2025. Launched from a logistics hub, the drones can reach their destination in as little as 45 minutes, overcoming transport challenges and vaccine shortages.

Over 3 million children died from antimicrobial resistance (AMR)-related infections in 2022, according to a major new study presented at ESCMID Global 2025. The findings underscore the urgent need for global strategies, particularly in high-burden areas like Southeast Asia and Africa, the researchers say.

The Trump Administration is considering linking US medicine prices to lower amounts paid by other developed countries, according to two sources within the pharmaceutical industry cited by Reuters. The policy, which would likely come from the agency overseeing Medicare and Medicaid, both sources say, is described as a "mid-level priority" aimed at reducing drug prices.

The number of women choosing epidurals during childbirth is rising in Japan, with Tokyo launching a subsidy programme this fiscal year, according to the Japan Times. However, some areas report no epidural-assisted births, while the cost and anaesthesiologist shortage may limit access, it says.

The UK government is expanding a scheme to help GPs access specialist advice for conditions like IBS and menopause, aiming to reduce hospital waiting times, reports the BBC. Backed by $106m, the initiative is set to assist 2 million people by 2025/26, offering faster, community-based care.

A global study published in Science found toxic metals such as arsenic and lead in 14-17% of cropland, affecting up to 1.4 billion people worldwide. The contamination, influenced by climate, topography and human activities like mining and industry, is expected to worsen as demand for metals grows, posing increasing risks to health and food security.

India is leading the way in transforming healthcare for low- and middle-income countries. With AI driving drug discovery, digital tools enhancing access and increased investment fuelling systemic innovation, the country is tackling pressing health challenges while creating scalable solutions for others to follow. Discover how this emerging model could reshape global health strategies.

At the Global AI Summit in Kigali in April 2025, the narrative around AI in Africa evolved from "By Africans, For Africa" to "By Africans, For the World". Bilal Mateen, Chief AI Officer at PATH, emphasizes that while AI holds immense potential for improving global health outcomes, its success depends on long-term investment in evidence, infrastructure and equity.