Norman Man Beats Brain Cancer, Long Odds With OMRF-Developed Drug

A Norman man's battle with a brain tumor is inspiring other patients around the country.

He credits a drug developed in the Oklahoma City metro.

Mike Schuster said the last five years of this life have been filled with blessings.

That includes the terrifying seizure he suffered while talking to a coworker the day before Thanksgiving in 2015.

“I’m really fortunate. If I would have left on time, I would be driving on Highway 9 when I had it. I would have probably killed myself or someone else,” said Schuster.

Tests revealed a fearful diagnosis: glioblastoma, a brain cancer with a five-year survival rate of only 5%.

Mike Schuster’s wife Teresa was told he may have less than a year to live.

“It was devastating news,” said Teresa Schuster.

Despite surgery and chemotherapy, the tumor was back a year later.

“I’m a God-fearing man and I just turned it all over to God,” said Mike Schuster.

Meanwhile, doctors turned a new drug in clinical trials developed at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation.

It's called OKN-007.

"It’s supposed to limit the amount of blood that goes above your shoulders and blood feeds cancer," said Mike Schuster.

Miraculously, the drug would starve the tumor.

Mike Schuster no longer has cancer.

“I’m glad I got to be the guinea pig,” Schuster said jokingly.

His prognosis is now providing hope nationwide.

“This is fantastic news. The positive outcome allows other patients to benefit because it allows more center across the country to run our clinical trial as well,” said OMRF’s Dr. Rheal Towner who developed OKN-007.

Mike Schuster now allows himself to think about of one day becoming a grandfather.

“It’s almost unbelieve that we are five years down the road,” said Teresa Schuster.

“Everything worked out like it was suppose to. I am just so blessed,” said Mike Schuster, who now gets MRIs done every three to six months to make sure the cancer has not returned.