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 10, 2021February 10, 2021

CAR T-cell Therapy Breyanzi Approved for Large B-cell Lymphomas

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the CAR T-cell therapy Breyanzi (lisocabtagene maraleucel) for treating adults with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) who have had ... Read more

January 15, 2021January 15, 2021

T-cell Therapy Showing Promise in Synovial Sarcoma Patients in Phase 1 Trial

News

ADP-A2M4, an investigational therapy that uses engineered immune cells to fight cancer, showed an acceptable safety profile and promising effectiveness in people with synovial sarcoma, a rare cancer that develops ... Read more

December 16, 2020December 16, 2020

EU Approval Urged for Bavencio as Maintenance Therapy for Bladder Cancer

News

A European Medicines Agency (EMA) committee has adopted a positive opinion on Bavencio (avelumab), recommending its approval as a first-line maintenance treatment for adults with locally advanced or metastatic bladder ... Read more

November 20, 2020November 20, 2020

Clinical Trial to Test CRISPR-modified T-cells in Treating Advanced Cancers

News

Immune cells that have been genetically engineered using CRISPR technology will be tested for a first time as a potential treatment of metastatic gastrointestinal cancer in a clinical trial. The Phase 1/2 ... Read more

October 12, 2020October 12, 2020

Agenus Begins Rolling Submission of Balstilimab to FDA for Advanced Cervical Cancer

News

Agenus is seeking U.S. approval of balstilimab, its investigational immunotherapy for the treatment of recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer, which has limited effective treatment options and disproportionately affects younger people. ... Read more

September 4, 2020September 4, 2020

FDA Rejects Keytruda-Lenvima Combo as First-line Treatment for Liver Cancer

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a complete response letter stating that it will not approve the combination of Keytruda (pembrolizumab) plus Lenvima (lenvatinib) as a first-line treatment for people ... Read more

September 2, 2020September 2, 2020

Imfinzi Approved in EU for Extensive-stage Small Cell Lung Cancer

News

The European Commission has approved a combination of Imfinzi (durvalumab) plus standard chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for people with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Findings from the CASPIAN ... Read more

August 26, 2020August 26, 2020

Novocure, MSD Team Up to Test TTFields-Keytruda Combo in Lung Cancer

News

An upcoming Phase 2 clinical trial is set to evaluate Novocure‘s Tumor Treating Fields, known as TTFields, in combination with Keytruda (pembrolizumab) for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer ... Read more

August 3, 2020August 3, 2020

FDA Approves Tecentriq Combo for Certain Advanced Melanomas

News

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the immunotherapy Tecentriq (atezolizumab), in combination with Cotellic (cobimetinib) and Zelboraf (vemurafenib), for the treatment of BRAF V600 mutation-positive advanced melanoma. The ... Read more

March 2, 2020March 2, 2020

Researchers Develop Safer CAR T-cell That Can Be Temporarily Turned ‘Off’

News

Researchers have developed a potentially safer CAR T-cell product — one with a “safety switch” — that can be deactivated in the presence of specific molecules, a new study shows. ... Read more