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

New statistical model predicts AAV prognosis with good accuracy

A new statistical model that considers age, disease type, patterns of organ involvement, and lab findings may help predict long-term survival in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) better than available prognostic systems, a study suggests. The study “Development and internal validation of a model to predict long-term survival of ANCA…

EGPA symptoms differ by patients’ antibody type, study suggests

Different types of disease-driving antibodies tend to associate with different symptoms of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA), the rarest form of ANCA-associated vasculitis. That’s according to the study “Spectrum of ANCA-specificities in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis. A retrospective multicenter study,” published in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology.

AAV genetic risk factors may differ according to sex: Study

Women carrying a genetic mutation dubbed rs9274619 have a significantly higher risk of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) associated with antibodies against myeloperoxidase (MPO) than men, a new study shows. Among MPO-AAV patients, this mutation was linked to a greater likelihood of eye involvement and a lower risk of lung involvement.

Most AAV patients have fatigue severe enough to be a disorder

Many people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) have profound fatigue that’s severe enough to fulfill the diagnostic criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome, even when the disease isn’t active, a study shows. “We emphasize that physicians should be aware of this when assessing treatment and management strategies for improving quality…

Preventive Antibiotics in AAV May Reduce Risk of Severe Infections

Preventive, or prophylactic treatment with certain antibiotics can reduce the risk of severe infections for people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) who are receiving immunosuppressive treatment, a new analysis shows. Specifically, good results were found in a clinical trial with a combination of antibiotics known as TMP/SMX. “This … is…

Immune Cells in Urine Could Help to Assess AAV Kidney Damage

Measuring the number of immune T-cells in urine could be used to help identify kidney damage in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), a new study suggests. These urinary T-cells also may aid in predicting treatment responses and the risk of future disease relapse. “Their promising potential as noninvasive…