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.

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 ... 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... 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 ... 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. ... 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 ... Read more

September 3, 2020September 3, 2020

Grant Expands SCD Patient Registry of COVID-19 Infections to Include Africa

News

The SECURE-SCD registry, which is collecting de-identified data on individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) who develop COVID-19, will be expanding to include information on children and adults in ... Read more

July 28, 2020July 28, 2020

CHMP Gives Positive Opinion to Adakveo for Treating Vaso-occlusive Crises in SCD Patients

News

A European Medicines Agency (EMA) committee has adopted a positive opinion on Novartis‘s Adakveo (crizanlizumab) for the prevention of vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in people with sickle cell disease (SCD). The ... Read more

July 14, 2020July 14, 2020

Stem Cell Transplant from Unrelated Donors Holds Promise for SCD Patients, Study Suggests

News

Blood stem cell transplant from unrelated donors is a feasible strategy in people with sickle cell disease (SCD), with better outcomes when blood markers are matched between donor and ... Read more