About Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act
Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act, Bill # S.2569
Original Sponsor:
Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
Cosponsor Total: 19
(last sponsor added 06/23/2008)
16 Democrats
1 Independents
2 Republicans
Q: What is the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act?
A: The Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of 2008 will permit the National Cancer Institute to make grants to public and nonprofit units in order to create research centers of excellence, dedicated to studying early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer biomarkers. This Act will develop a biomarker to detect ovarian cancer at its earliest stages.
Q: What is a Biomarker?
A: A biomarker is a term used to describe a physical trait or a measurable biologically produced change in the body connected with a disease or health condition.
Q: When was the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act introduced?
A: The Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act of 2008 was introduced on January 29, 2008.
Q: What does the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act involve?
A: It allows federal payments under such an agreement or grant to be used for research on:
* The development of new biomarkers and the modifications of existing biomarkers
* The clinical and laboratory validation of biomarkers
* The development of clinical research on the use of biomarkers
* The development and use of storage for new tissue, urine, serum, and other specimens
Q: What will the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act require?
A: Requires the Director of the National Cancer Institute to:
* Make available for research banked serum and tissue specimens from clinical research regarding ovarian cancer that was funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
* Establish an Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Clinical Trial Committee, which will be established and operated in consultation with the Gynecologic Oncology Group, to assist the Director to create national clinical trials to determine biomarkers
* Establish a national data center to conduct statistical analyses of trial data
Q: What is the current status of the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act?
A: This bill is in the first step in the legislative process. Introduced bills first go to committees that investigate and revise them before they go to general debate. On January 29, 2008, the Bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Q: What is next for the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act?
A: The committee may read the bill a third time and conduct a floor debate. If the bill passes in the Senate, it will then go to the House where the process will begin again and be voted on. Once the House and Senate approve one version of the bill, it will then be presented to the President who has the power to veto the bill or pass it into law.
Q: Where can I find out more information about the Ovarian Cancer Biomarker Research Act?
A: Visit http://capwiz.com/cancerschmancer/issues/bills/?bill=11802696&size=full for up-to-date, detailed information concerning the bill.
