Posts by: Marisa Wexler MS

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.

February 18, 2021February 18, 2021

Progesterone May Help Drive Spread of Ovarian Cancer, Preclinical Study Shows

News

The hormone progesterone helps to drive the development of metastatic ovarian cancer, and blocking progesterone signaling may be a useful strategy for preventing the cancer, a study in mice suggests. ... Read more

January 26, 2021

Combining Imaging Methods May Reduce Need for Tumor Biopsies

News

Combining two imaging methods can provide a more accurate sampling of single tumors — like those found in ovarian cancer — thus allowing doctors to capture the diverse cancer cells ... Read more

November 12, 2020November 12, 2020

CA125 Blood Test Useful in Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer in Routine Setting

News

A blood test measuring levels of the protein cancer antigen 125 (CA125) can help detect ovarian cancer in a primary care setting with considerable accuracy, a study reported. The research ... Read more

October 22, 2020October 22, 2020

FDA Places PC14586, for Cancers with Mutant Protein, on Fast Track

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted fast track designation to PC14586 as a potential treatment of advanced cancers that harbor a specific mutation affecting the protein p53, ... Read more

October 13, 2020October 13, 2020

OCRA Partners With Microsoft AI Initiative to Accelerate Ovarian Cancer Research

News

The Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) has partnered with Microsoft‘s AI for Health initiative, with the ultimate goal of accelerating ovarian cancer research using data science and artificial intelligence (AI). ... Read more

October 1, 2020October 1, 2020

Fertility-sparing Surgery Can Effectively Treat Borderline Ovarian Tumors, Study Shows

News

Fertility-sparing surgery can effectively treat borderline ovarian tumors (BOTs), while preserving a woman’s ability to conceive and bear children, a new study suggests. The study, “Reproductive and obstetrical outcomes with ... Read more

September 17, 2020September 17, 2020

Checkpoint Inhibitor CTX-2026 Shows Promising Efficacy in Preclinical Study

News

Compass Therapeutics‘ CTX-2026, an antibody targeting the protein BTN3A1, could be therapeutic in ovarian cancer by helping the immune system destroy cancer cells, preclinical data show. The study, “BTN3A1 governs ... Read more

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020

Pap Smear Samples May Aid Early Diagnosis of Common Ovarian Cancer

News

Genetic material collected in routine cervical cancer screenings could be used to screen for ovarian cancer several years before disease symptoms are evident, possible speeding diagnosis and treatment, a study suggests. ... Read more

August 18, 2020August 18, 2020

Large-scale Testing of BRCA Mutations Can Be Cost-Effective, Study Finds

News

Screening the overall population for mutations in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 that can cause breast and ovarian cancer is cost-effective in wealthier countries, from the viewpoint of both payers and society, an ... Read more

June 30, 2020June 30, 2020

Second Surgery May Aid Survival in Recurrent Ovarian Cancer, Study Finds

News

Woman whose ovarian cancer returns more than six months after initial surgery and chemotherapy may benefit from a second surgery, but only if the entire tumor is removed during the procedure, ... Read more