Central South Dakota News

U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have introduced the Bolstering Research and Innovation Now (BRAIN) Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation aimed at enhancing research and treatment development for brain tumors and improving accessibility to brain tumor healthcare.

"For me, the fight against cancer is personal. 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," stated Rounds. "I firmly believe we are years, not decades, away from seeing cures to many of the most deadly cancers. 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. I am glad to be joining a bipartisan group of my colleagues on this legislation."

"Malignant brain tumors remain a vicious and persistent enemy for many Americans—impacting more than one million people in the United States today," said Blumenthal. "With incidence and survival rates remaining stagnant for decades, our bipartisan, bicameral BRAIN Act is needed to advance research and treatment for these highly deadly cancers and defeat brain tumors once and for all."

The legislation has garnered support from other senators including Jack Reed (D-R.I.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). In the House, Representative Susan Wild (D-Penn.) leads the initiative alongside Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Penn.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), and John Joyce (R-Penn.).

"A brain tumor diagnosis is devastating news for too many American families, and the federal government needs to step up to help find a cure and better diagnostics and treatment. The BRAIN Act is about saving lives, changing lives, and improving health outcomes," remarked Reed. "It would help fast-track scientific discovery by improving access to clinical trials for patients and advancing innovative new treatments."

"After losing my wife, Bobbi, to glioblastoma, I know firsthand how tragic a brain tumor diagnosis can be for patients and their families. Raising awareness and supporting efforts to find a cure is a personal priority for me," commented Barrasso.

"I am proud to be the House lead of the BRAIN Act, which will enable our medical community to research groundbreaking treatments," added Wild.

Dr. David Pearce from Sanford Health expressed gratitude towards Senator Rounds' leadership on the BRAIN Act: "This legislation offers a fantastic opportunity to expand upon our brain tumor and cancer research." Katie VanBeek from Avera's Oncology Service Line also voiced optimism: "We are optimistic about this bill that will continue to drive positive change for our patients."

The BRAIN Act aims to:

- Increase transparency of federally-funded biobank collections.

- Resource the National Cancer Institute’s Glioblastoma Therapeutics Network.

- Advance immunotherapy research.

- Direct the Centers for Disease Control to conduct public education campaigns.

- Expand funding for innovative care models.

- Ensure FDA guidance on patient access to clinical trials.

Currently, over one million people in the U.S. live with primary brain tumors with an additional 94,000 diagnoses expected in 2024. Despite advancements in other cancer treatments, malignant brain tumor survival rates have remained unchanged over 45 years with a five-year relative survival rate of only 35.7%.