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

AAN 2023: Better health outcomes likely with combination therapy

People with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) who are treated with a combination of therapies appear to have better health outcomes than those given only one type of medication. That’s according to new findings presented at the 75th American Academy of Neurology (AAN) annual meeting, being held April 22-27 in Boston…

Carpal tunnel syndrome often precedes ATTRv diagnosis in US

In the U.S., one-third of people with hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (hATTR) — a group of disorders that includes familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) — are diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome years before a hATTR diagnosis, a study indicated. This finding suggests that a history of carpal tunnel, a condition that affects…

FDA agrees to review eplontersen as potential FAP therapy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review an application from Ionis Pharmaceuticals seeking approval of eplontersen in treating familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). The agency is expected to announce its decision by Dec. 22, according to Ionis, which is co-developing eplontersen alongside…

FDA to decide on expanding its approval of Onpattro by October

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has agreed to review an application from Alnylam Pharmaceuticals seeking the approval of Onpattro (patisiran) for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated (ATTR) amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. According to the company, the FDA is expected to announce a decision by Oct. 8. Alnylam submitted…

Agency Recommends England’s NHS Cover Amvuttra for Treating FAP

England’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has issued a draft guidance recommending Amvuttra (vutrisiran) be available through the country’s National Health Service (NHS) for treating familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP). Amvuttra is one of the first rare disease treatments to get the green light from NICE…

Onpattro Approval Sought for ATTR Amyloidosis With Cardiomyopathy

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals has submitted an application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) asking the agency to approve Onpattro (patisiran) for the treatment of transthyretin-mediated (ATTR) amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. Onpattro already is approved to treat familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP), a genetic disorder in which toxic tangles…

NTLA-2001 Shows Benefits for ATTR Patients With Heart Disease

One-time treatment with the experimental gene-editing therapy NTLA-2001 led to substantial reductions in the levels of toxic transthyretin protein that were sustained for several months in people with ATTR amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM). That is according to data shared by NTLA-2001’s co-developer, Intellia Therapeutics, at the American Heart Association…

Woman in 30s With FAP Develops Kidney Disease Due to Tegsedi: Case

A woman with familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) developed a type of kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis — characterized by scarring in the kidneys — several months after starting treatment with Tegsedi (inotersen), according to a recent case report. Once the patient stopped taking Tegsedi, the kidney…