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.

November 4, 2020November 6, 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 19, 2020October 19, 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 15, 2020October 15, 2020

Stem Cell Transplant Improves Quality of Life in Scleroderma Patients, Study Indicates

News

Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (AHSCT) — replacing patients’ damaged bone marrow with their own healthy blood stem cells — improves health-related quality of life among people with scleroderma ... Read more

October 13, 2020October 13, 2020

Talaris Raises $115M for Clinical Trials Testing FRC001 Cell Therapy for dcSSc

News

Talaris Therapeutics has raised $115 million in financing, which will be used to support the clinical development of its lead therapeutic candidate, FCR001, designed to promote immune tolerance and allow patients ... Read more

October 6, 2020October 6, 2020

Study: Pandemic Increases Anxiety, But Not Depression, in Scleroderma Patients

News

Following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, people with scleroderma experienced substantial increases in anxiety, but not depression, a new study has found. Results also show that older patients and ... Read more

September 29, 2020September 29, 2020

Study Suggests TL1A Protein as Therapeutic Target for Lung Fibrosis

News

A protein known as TL1A drives lung fibrosis, or scarring, in scleroderma, a new study suggests. The findings suggest that blocking TL1A could be an effective therapeutic strategy in scleroderma ... Read more

September 15, 2020September 15, 2020

Study Describes 12 Cases of Lung Cancer in Women With Scleroderma

News

Detailed characteristics of 12 cases of lung cancer in people with scleroderma were described in a new study. Notably, all patients were women and most had interstitial lung disease ... Read more

July 20, 2020July 20, 2020

Sleep Apnea Linked to High Blood Pressure in Lungs of Adults With Scleroderma

News

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with an increased risk of pulmonary hypertension in people with scleroderma, a study suggests. The study, “Impact of concomitant obstructive sleep apnea on pulmonary involvement ... Read more

May 31, 2020June 1, 2020

TLY012 Receives FDA Orphan Drug Status for Systemic Scleroderma

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted orphan drug designation to Theraly Fibrosis’ TLY012 for the treatment of systemic scleroderma. This designation is given to medications with the ... Read more

May 18, 2020May 18, 2020

Experts Issue Guidance for Care of Scleroderma Patients During COVID-19

News

With the World Scleroderma Foundation (WSF)’s support, experts worldwide answered questions in the form of recommendations for scleroderma patients amid the COVID-19 outbreak, including the importance of maintaining current medications ... Read more