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

Patient Day is part of International Porphyrias Symposium 2023

The International Porphyrias Symposium 2023, where experts discuss the latest research into porphyria, will be held later this week and will feature a day dedicated to people with the disease. The symposium, which is designed for clinicians who care for people with porphyria and scientists conducting research related…

Report describes unusual case of AIP marked by seizures

An unusual case of acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) that was marked by seizures was described in a recent case report. “This case report is rare and suggests that for patients who experience epileptic seizures coupled with complaints related to the abdomen, the possibility of porphyria should be specially considered…

Plasma exchange helps to relieve teenager’s porphyria symptoms

Plasma exchange — a procedure that involves replacing the liquid portion of blood, not blood cells — effectively eased motor weakness and other symptoms for a teenager with acute porphyria. Prior to this, standard approaches for treating porphyria, including hemin, were attempted but did little to ease the patient’s…

Porphyria found in infant treated with UV light therapy for jaundice

An infant in Brazil who developed severe skin blistering after receiving a light-based therapy for jaundice, or yellowing of the skin, was found to have congenital erythropoietic porphyria (CEP) after a thorough diagnostic workup. “In publishing this case report, we aimed to pediatricians’ knowledge regarding [CEP],” the researchers wrote.