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.

July 22, 2020July 22, 2020

Isturisa, Oral Treatment for Cushing’s Syndrome, Available in Germany

News

Isturisa (osilodrostat) is now available in Germany to treat adults with endogenous Cushing’s syndrome. The announcement by Recordati Rare Diseases, which acquired rights to Isturisa from its original developer Novartis, follows ... Read more

July 17, 2020July 17, 2020

Smart Contact Lens Shows Ability to Measure Cortisol Levels

News

A newly developed smart contact lens might be used to measure levels of the hormone cortisol in a person’s tears, which could be helpful in disorders such as Cushing’s disease. ... Read more

June 5, 2020June 5, 2020

Isturisa Now Available in France, Recordati Announces

News

Cushing’s syndrome treatment Isturisa (osilodrostat) now is commercially available in France. The announcement from Recordati Rare Diseases comes soon after the medication became fully available for sale and distribution to adults ... Read more

March 19, 2020March 19, 2020

Adrenal Gland Surgeries May Be Safer if Incisions Made to Back

News

Making incisions through the back of the body, rather than the front, can lessen bleeding and shorten operation time during surgery to remove the adrenal glands, a new study ... Read more

February 18, 2020February 18, 2020

Case Report Points to Subclinical Cushing’s Syndrome as Possible Diagnosis in Pregnancy with Preeclampsia

News

Cushing’s syndrome can occur during pregnancy without obvious signs and symptoms specific to the condition, a new case report shows, suggesting the disease should be considered as a diagnosis ... Read more

January 30, 2020January 30, 2020

Asymptomatic Adrenal Tumors Also May Increase Risk of Type 2 Diabetes, Study Suggests

News

Undiagnosed tumors on the adrenal glands — called adrenal incidentalomas, because they are found by chance — may be more prevalent than previously thought and also may be linked ... Read more

January 21, 2020January 22, 2020

Prognosis Worse for Women with Ectopic ACTH-secreting Pituitary Tumors Than Men, Study Finds

News

Ectopic ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas (EAPAs), a rare cause of Cushing’s disease, are more commonly found in women, who also have a poorer prognosis than men with the same condition, ... Read more

January 2, 2020January 15, 2020

BIPSS Diagnostic Method May Cause False Positive in Some Cases of Cyclic Cushing’s Syndrome, Case Study Suggests

News

A diagnostic technique called bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling (BIPSS), which measures the levels of the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) produced by the pituitary gland, should only be used to ... Read more

December 17, 2019December 17, 2019

Cabergoline Reduces Efficacy of Radiotherapy in Cushing’s Disease, Small Study Suggests

News

Cushing’s disease patients who are treated with cabergoline while undergoing conventional fractionated radiotherapy have a higher risk of disease recurrence after initial remission, a small study has found. The ... Read more

November 14, 2019

USP8 May Be Potential Target for Cushing’s Disease Therapy, Mouse Cell Study Suggests

News

Targeting the USP8 protein, which is frequently mutated in Cushing’s disease patients, lowered the levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone, inhibited cell proliferation, and caused cell death in a mouse cell ... Read more