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.

April 7, 2021April 7, 2021

European Alliance Calls for Newborn Screening

News

The European Alliance for Newborn Screening for Spinal Muscular Atrophy is calling on all European states to introduce routine screening of all newborns for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) by 2025. ... Read more

April 2, 2021April 2, 2021

Spinal Fluid Changes With Spinraza’s Use Mild, Possibly Due to Lumbar Puncture

News

Treatment with Spinraza (nusinersen) may cause some alterations in the cerebrospinal fluid — that which surrounds the brain and spinal cord — in adults with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a study ... Read more

March 5, 2021March 5, 2021

Challenges of Life as Teen, Young Adult With SMA Highlighted in Survey

News

Being an adolescent or young adult with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) presents unique challenges, according to a study based on viewpoints expressed by patients ages 12 to 25. “‘I have ... Read more

January 27, 2021January 27, 2021

Motor Function, Breathing Important in Choosing Treatment

News

Improvement in motor function, breathing, and ease of administration are among the factors that people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and their caregivers value most when deciding on available treatments, a ... Read more

January 20, 2021January 26, 2021

Cure SMA Booklet Outlines Possible Risks, Benefits of Combining Treatments

News

A free resource booklet, published by Cure SMA, may help people with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) to better understand the possible risks and benefits of combining different treatments for the disease. ... Read more

December 18, 2020December 18, 2020

Zolgensma Approved to Treat Young SMA Patients in Canada

News

Health Canada has approved Novartis‘ gene therapy Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec) to treat pediatric spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients who have three or fewer copies of the SMN2 gene, or with infantile-onset disease. ... Read more

December 16, 2020December 16, 2020

Paramedian Injection Approach Found to Ease Spinraza Administration

News

Administering Spinraza (nusinersen) via a particular method of injection, called the paramedian approach, can shorten procedure times and reduce the occurrence of adverse events for people with spinal muscular atrophy ... Read more

November 9, 2020November 10, 2020

Spinraza’s Benefits Mild, Transient in Infant With Severe Type 0 SMA

News

An infant with type 0 spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a severe disease form evident before birth, began treatment with Spinraza (nusinersen) at 2 weeks old and showed mild improvement, but died ... Read more

November 5, 2020November 5, 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 organizations ... Read more

October 20, 2020October 20, 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 series ... Read more

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