Posts by: Marisa Wexler MS

Marisa Wexler MS

Marisa holds an MS in Cellular and Molecular Pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. She specializes in cancer biology, immunology, and genetics. Marisa began working with BioNews in 2018, and has written about science and health for SelfHacked and the Genetics Society of America. She also writes/composes musicals and coaches the University of Pittsburgh fencing club.

March 11, 2021March 11, 2021

Gene Therapy LentiGlobin Unlikely Cause of Blood Cancer in Early Trial, Bluebird Says

News

LentiGlobin, Bluebird Bio’s investigational gene therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD), is unlikely to be the cause of a blood cancer that arose in one of the patients who received ... Read more

February 4, 2021February 4, 2021

Abnormal Flow of Sickled Cells Damages Blood Vessel Walls

News

Red blood cells in people with sickle cell disease (SCD) flow through blood vessels in a manner that damages the walls, which may explain blood vessel problems and increased inflammation ... Read more

January 28, 2021January 28, 2021

EMA Reviews Oxbryta: Therapy Would Be 1st in EU Targeting SCD Root Cause

News

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is reviewing an application from Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) that seeks full marketing approval for the oral therapy Oxbryta (voxelotor) for people with sickle cell ... Read more

January 7, 2021January 7, 2021

Oral FT-4202 Safe, Found to Improve Red Blood Cell Function in SCD

News

FT-4202, a potential disease-modifying oral treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD), is well-tolerated in people with SCD and induces improvements in several red blood cell parameters, early clinical trial data indicate. ... Read more

November 10, 2020November 10, 2020

NIH Funds New Project to Improve SCD Care for Children in Malawi

News

A team of researchers led by UNC Project-Malawi has been given a one-year, $500,000 grant to build clinical and research infrastructure that will improve diagnosis and treatment for children living ... Read more

November 6, 2020November 4, 2020

NORD Hosting ‘RareLaunch’ Workshops to Help Start Rare Disease Non-profits

News, syndicated

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)’s RareLaunch training program will host two days of free virtual workshops in December, with the aim of empowering leaders to start non-profit organizations ... Read more

October 21, 2020October 21, 2020

Telehealth ‘Helpful’ Alternative to In-person Care, Rare Disease Patients Say

News, syndicated

A majority of rare disease patients using telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic thought the experience positive, and many would like the option of continuing its use in future appointments, a series ... Read more

October 6, 2020October 6, 2020

Fulcrum’s FTX-6058 Shows Promising Efficacy as SCD Therapy in Disease Models

News

FTX-6058, an investigational treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) and beta-thalassemia being developed by Fulcrum Therapeutics, showed efficacy at raising the levels of fetal hemoglobin in cellular and animal models ... Read more

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020

Medications Activating sGC Protein May Have Promise as SCD Therapy, Study Shows

News

Medications that activate the protein soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) may have promise in the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD), a new study in cells and animal models indicates. The ... Read more

September 15, 2020September 15, 2020

Study Identifies FDA-approved Medications With Potential for Treating SCD

News

Using a newly developed assay, researchers identified seven U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications that may be effective, with minimal safety issues, in treating sickle cell disease (SCD). Their findings ... Read more