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

Protein interaction may lead to new strategy for treatment of ALS

By taking advantage of a molecular interaction between the disease-related protein TDP-43 and another, innocuous protein, scientists have found a novel strategy that potentially may be used as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). “Importantly, this interaction could be key to unlocking a treatment not just for ALS…

Collaboration aims to unravel role of DNA damage in ALS

Scientists at Broken String Biosciences and the Francis Crick Institute are teaming up to study how genomic instability, or an increased tendency to DNA mutations, contributes to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The findings may shed light on the mechanisms leading to sporadic cases of ALS, the term…

AAN 2024: Troriluzole may be taken with food, data suggest

Troriluzole, a new formulation of the approved amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) treatment riluzole, can be taken with or without food and appears to have better pharmacological properties than approved versions of the medication that allow once daily administration. That’s according to data from three studies in healthy volunteers presented…

ALS treatment Relyvrio fails trial, may be withdrawn from market

Relyvrio (sodium phenylbutyrate and taurursodiol), an approved treatment for people with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), has failed to meet its primary goal of slowing disease progression in an ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial designed to confirm its effectiveness. That’s according to new data from the trial, dubbed PHOENIX,…

MDA 2024: Blood biomarkers may help predict ALS progression rates

New data show that blood-based measures, including levels of markers of nerve damage and chemical DNA modifications, can help predict which individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) will have faster disease progression over time. However, because the disease course may be altered with Radicava or Radicava ORS —…