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

9 of 10 NurOwn-treated ALS patients surpass five-year survival

Nine out of 10 people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) who received the experimental cell therapy NurOwn (debamestrocel) in an expanded access program (EAP) following a placebo-controlled Phase 3 trial survived for at least five years after the onset of their symptoms. That’s according to data announced by…

Dazucorilant significantly extends survival in Phase 2 ALS trial

Dazucorilant, an oral cortisol modulator being developed by Corcept Therapeutics, significantly improved survival among people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in a Phase 2 clinical trial. Despite it failing to slow disease progression, the trial’s main goal, Corcept is now seeking guidance from U.S. and European regulators to determine…

Mitochondrial abnormalities seen early in many forms of ALS: Study

A study found that genetic mutations associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) lead to problems with the function and transport of mitochondria, cellular structures needed for energy production, early in the disease course, before abnormal protein clumps are formed. “We show that the nerve cells, termed motor neurons, that…

Adding low-dose IL-2 to riluzole may improve survival in ALS

Adding a low dose of the anti-inflammatory molecule interleukin-2 (IL-2) to treatment with riluzole is safe and may help extend survival in certain people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), according to findings from a clinical trial called MIROCALS. The Phase 2b trial didn’t show a significant survival benefit in…

Treatment with Tregs safe, may slow ALS progression: Trial

Treatment with regulatory T-cells, or Tregs — a type of anti-inflammatory immune cell — was well tolerated and seemed to slow disease progression in a small clinical trial that enrolled six people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The work was conducted by scientists at Columbia University in New…