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.

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

July 7, 2020July 7, 2020

Potential Oral DMT Showing Safety and Signs of Efficacy in Phase 1 Trial

News

FT-4202 — an investigational treatment for sickle cell disease (SCD) — has a favorable safety profile and the expected biological effects, providing preliminary support of efficacy, according to data from ... Read more

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020

GBT to Request Oxbryta’s Approval in Europe for SCD Patients 12 and Older

News

Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) plans to submit a marketing authorization application to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) asking that Oxbryta (voxelotor) be approved for treating hemolytic anemia in people ... Read more

June 11, 2020June 11, 2020

GBT to Request That Oxbryta Treat Children Starting at Age 4

News

Global Blood Therapeutics (GBT) will ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow children with sickle cell disease (SCD), ages 4 to 11, to also be treated with Oxbryta (voxelotor). The company ... Read more

April 21, 2020April 21, 2020

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation to FT-4202 for Sickle Cell Treatment

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted orphan drug designation to Forma Therapeutics‘ FT-4202 for the treatment of sickle cell disease (SCD) This designation is given to investigational therapies intended ... Read more

March 10, 2020March 10, 2020

Lack of Vitamin D in SCD Children Linked to Worse Hospital Outcomes in Study

News

Children and adolescents with sickle cell disease (SCD) who lack vitamin D are hospitalized more often due to pain crises, have longer hospital stays, and make more frequent visits ... Read more