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

Top 10 ANCA-Associated Vasculitis Stories of 2022

Over the past year, ANCA Vasculitis News has brought you coverage of the latest developments in research related to ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). We look forward to continuing to bring you news about advances in research and treatment in the new year. Here we have compiled a list of the top…

Pausing Immunosuppressants Can Help Clear Hep E Infection in AAV

Hepatitis E infection can be effectively managed in people with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) by pausing immunosuppressive therapy, though patients may experience AAV flares during this pause, a new study shows. “Despite potent immunosuppression before infection, all patients cleared the virus after cessation of the immunosuppressant without additional anti-viral therapy.

AAV Patients at Higher Risk of Stroke, New Study Finds

People with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) are at an increased risk of experiencing cardiovascular problems, such as a stroke, according to a new study done in South Korea. Indeed, AAV patients were found to have a more than two times higher risk of cardiovascular health problems than individuals without any…

After $3.7B Deal, Amgen Will Own Rights to AAV Therapy Tavneos

After approximately $3.7 billion in acquisitions, Amgen will own the rights to Tavneos (avacopan), an approved oral therapy developed by ChemoCentryx to treat ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Amgen is acquiring ChemoCentryx in a cash deal, expected to be completed by year’s end, the companies announced. “The acquisition of ChemoCentryx represents a…

Canada OKs Tavneos as Add-on Treatment for MPA and GPA

Health Canada has approved the oral medicine Tavneos (avacopan) as an add-on therapy to treat adults with severe ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). The approval specifically covers the use of Tavneos to treat granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) and microscopic polyangiitis (MPA), the two main types of AAV, in combination with…

Europe Awaits Proposed New Framework for Sharing Health Data

The European Commission is expected to propose a new governing framework for health data next month, called the European Health Data Space (EHDS), with the aim of connecting national health systems to facilitate secure and efficient transfer of data across systems in different European nations. The move is expected to…

Researchers Develop New Mouse Model of Kidney Injury in AAV

A team of scientists in Europe has developed a novel mouse model of the type of kidney damage that commonly occurs in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV), and identified the receptor CXCR4 as a potential target for future therapies. “This model may be a considerable benefit to research aimed at ameliorating…