U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) on July 23 cosponsored bipartisan, bicameral legislation that would bolster the development of brain tumor research and treatment, and improve access for related health care.
Specifically, the Bolstering Research and Innovation Now (BRAIN) Act, S. 4739, which is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), would advance research to achieve medical breakthroughs in brain tumor treatment and improve awareness and adequacy of specialized cancer and brain tumor care, according to the text of the bill.
“The BRAIN Act will allow us to continue capitalizing on the progress we have made so far by implementing programs and funding that will advance research and treatments for brain tumors,” Sen. Rounds said. “I am glad to be joining a bipartisan group of my colleagues on this legislation.”
If enacted, S. 4739 would increase transparency of federally funded biobank collections so that researchers are aware of others who possess samples that might be shared to enable important research, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Rounds’ staff.
The bill also would fund the National Cancer Institute’s Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network, enable team science to advance immunotherapy research (CAR-T) engineered to attack brain cancer cells, and direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a public education campaign focused on the importance of clinical trials and biomarker testing in cancer treatment, the summary says.
Additionally, the bill would expand funding to develop innovative systems of care models for brain tumor survivors and directs the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to issue guidance to ensure patient access to clinical trials evaluating treatments for other diseases.
“For me, the fight against cancer is personal,” said Sen. Rounds. “When my late wife Jean was courageously battling cancer a few years ago, we were already seeing encouraging progress in the development of new treatments for many cancers. I firmly believe we are years, not decades, away from seeing cures to many of the most deadly cancers.”
Sanford Research and Avera endorsed the measure, which Sen. Blumenthal said “is needed to advance research and treatment for these highly deadly cancers and defeat brain tumors once and for all.”
U.S. Reps. Susan Wild (D-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and John Joyce (R-PA) on July 23 introduced the U.S. House version of the bill, H.R. 9113.