Marisa Wexler, MS, senior science writer —

Marisa holds a Master of Science in cellular and molecular pathology from the University of Pittsburgh, where she studied novel genetic drivers of ovarian cancer. Her areas of expertise include cancer biology, immunology, and genetics, and she has worked as a science writing and communications intern for the Genetics Society of America.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

More than a 1/4 of aHUS patients have PTSD symptoms: Study

About half of the atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) patients had clinically relevant anxiety and more than a quarter met the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), according to a recent study. “Our cross-sectional survey done a median of [six] years after acute … aHUS demonstrated a substantial burden…

Soliris effective in managing man’s chemotherapy-induced aHUS

Soliris (eculizumab) was effective in managing atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), which arose in a man as a side effect of chemotherapy treatment with gemcitabine. “The mainstay management decision [for gemcitabine-related aHUS] is the prompt discontinuation of gemcitabine therapy, and while this is effective in some patients, complement…

Rare genetic rearrangements in aHUS patients assessed in study

A substantial number of people with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) carry rare structural variations in a part of the genome called the CFH-CFHR region and some variants are linked to certain disease manifestations, a recent study reports. “This work highlights the association between aHUS and genomic rearrangements in…

Fewer Children, More Blacks Hospitalized for HUS in US, 2007-18

The demographics of people hospitalized for hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in the U.S. have shifted over the last decade, with a lower proportion of young children and a higher number of Black patients, a new study reports. “Further surveillance is required to determine if these trends continue,” the researchers wrote.

Soliris, a Treatment for aHUS, Is Now Available in China

Soliris (eculizumab), an approved treatment for atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), is now available to patients in China, AstraZeneca announced. “This milestone reflects our ambition to bring transformative, rare disease medicines to the significant number of patients and families living with rare diseases in China who currently have…

Discontinuing Soliris After aHUS Remission Is Safe, Saves Costs: Study

When treating atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) with Soliris (eculizumab), the medication can be safely discontinued after the immune system disorder is in remission, a new study shows. Moreover, the results suggest that stopping Soliris, rather than continuing treatment indefinitely, can lead to substantial cost savings without notably…

Sirnaomics Testing STP144G Therapy With Eye Toward Human Trials Next Year

Sirnaomics has launched preclinical testing of a first candidate therapy developed with its GalAhead platform for complement-mediated diseases, including atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS). The therapy, STP144G, is one of four experimental treatments developed with the proprietary Sirnaomics platform. Data from these early studies are expected to eventually…