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.

Articles by Marisa Wexler

Phase 3 trials of ianalumab for SLE, lupus nephritis now enrolling

Three new Phase 3 clinical trials testing the experimental therapy ianalumab in people with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis are now recruiting patients. All three trials are being sponsored by Novartis, the company developing ianalumab. Lupus Therapeutics, the clinical research affiliate of the Lupus Research Alliance,…

Lupkynis approved in Switzerland to treat adults with lupus nephritis

Lupkynis (voclosporin) is now approved in Switzerland to treat adults with active lupus nephritis, a complication of lupus characterized by kidney damage and inflammation. The approval specifically covers the treatment, given along immunosuppressants, for adults with active class 3, 4, and 5 lupus nephritis — three subtypes of the…

Upadacitinib headed to Phase 3 testing in SLE

Treatment with upadacitinib led to a significant reduction in disease activity for people with moderate-to-severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a Phase 2 clinical trial, according to top-line results announced by its developer, AbbVie. Based on these positive results, AbbVie now is planning to advance upadacitinib to Phase 3 clinical…

Enzyme tied to inflammatory immune cell activity in lupus

An enzyme called fumarate hydratase is involved in the control of the inflammatory activity of macrophages, a type of immune cell with a central role in driving inflammatory disorders like lupus, researchers report. “No-one has made a link from Fumarate Hydratase to inflammatory macrophages before and we feel that…

Better measures of disease severity needed in lupus, study says

New measures are needed to assess disease severity in lupus in clinical trials, a study highlights. One important goal in developing such measures is to include patient-reported outcomes — which, according to the study authors, are now not used in most clinical trials assessing the effectiveness of new treatments.

Aurinia OK’d to Apply for New Lupkynis Patent for Lupus Nephritis

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed Aurinia Pharmaceuticals submit a new patented method of using Lupkynis (voclosporin), its approved oral treatment for lupus nephritis. The new application (No. 17/713,140), titled, “Improved Protocol for Treatment of Lupus Nephritis,” covers a method of using Lupkynis in combination with…