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

Study finds how extracellular histones drive lung fibrosis

Proteins called histones can trigger lung fibrosis (scarring) by prompting platelets, cell fragments involved in blood clotting, to release a signaling molecule called transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFB1), a new study found. TGFB1, in turn, blocks the production of interleukin-27 (IL-27), a signaling molecule that normally helps to limit…

Zelasudil granted FDA orphan drug status as IPF treatment candidate

Zelasudil, an experimental treatment for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) that’s now being tested in clinical trials, has been granted orphan drug status by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA awards this designation to therapies with the potential to substantially improve care for people with rare diseases,…

Newly found 3-protein signature may help to diagnose IPF

A three-protein signature can be used to differentiate between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and other lung disorders and may be a noninvasive biomarker of the rare disease, according to a new study. While the scientists stressed that further research will be needed to validate the…

Phase 3 trial of INOpulse fails to meet primary, secondary goals

The Phase 3 REBUILD clinical trial, which tested Bellerophon Therapeutics‘ inhaled nitric oxide therapy INOpulse in people with pulmonary fibrosis at risk of developing pulmonary hypertension, failed to meet its primary or secondary goals, according to recent top-line data. “The REBUILD study did not match the outcomes we…

1st patient dosed in Phase 2a trial of BBT-877 for IPF

The first participant has been dosed in a clinical trial testing the experimental anti-fibrotic therapy BBT-877 in people with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The milestone was announced by BBT-877’s developer Bridge Biotherapeutics, which initiated the trial late last year. “The first patient dosing of BBT-877 marks an…