Only 3% of people are like this: a woman who has survived brain cancer could hold the key to conquering the disease.

Katherine Webster, a 52-year-old woman from Cambridge, is approaching a five-year remission after being diagnosed with grade four glioblastoma in March 2020 — an aggressive and typically fatal brain tumor. Only 25% of glioblastoma patients survive for more than a year, and just 5% live up to five years, but Katherine's survival has exceeded all expectations. This has prompted scientists to conduct new research in which she may hold the key to defeating cancer, reports Cambridge University Hospitals.

Following her diagnosis, Katherine underwent surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy at Addenbrooke's Hospital. She is currently in remission but continues to experience some memory loss and limited mobility on her right side, though she describes her recovery as remarkably smooth.

A former athlete, Katherine considers her passion for rowing as her main source of motivation during treatment. With the support of her family and friends from the Chesterton Rowing Club, she has returned to the water and rows weekly. Reflecting on her survival, she says: "I was told I had just a few months left to live, not years. Nearly five years after my diagnosis, I try to make the most out of life — I live each day as if it were my last."

In the near future, Katherine will participate in a study called "Rosalind" — an international clinical trial that seeks to understand why some cancer patients, like herself, live significantly longer than expected. The "Rosalind" study, coordinated in the UK by Cambridge University Hospitals, aims to explore the biological factors underlying the prolonged survival of patients with advanced small cell lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, and glioblastoma.

Dr. Tankamma Ajitkumar, a consultant clinical oncologist at Addenbrooke's Clinic and the lead author of the study in the UK, explained that the goal is to shift the focus from why most cancer patients do not survive to understanding what allows "super survivors," like Katherine, to defy all predictions. "By studying the biology of this, without exaggeration, elite group of survivors, the research aims to uncover insights that could potentially benefit and improve outcomes for millions," he said.

The study will focus on collecting tumor samples from over 1,000 people living long-term with cancer worldwide, representing the top 3% of survival rates for these types of diseases. These samples will be analyzed in Paris by the biotechnology company Cure51, which is leading the research.

The aim of the study, supported by Sofinnova, is to identify new therapeutic targets that could pave the way for the development of effective cancer treatments. Dr. Ajitkumar emphasized the importance of studying the experiences of patients like Katherine, stating: "We don't just want to hear stories like Katherine's; we want to learn from them and turn them into reality."

Glioblastoma remains one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, and its treatment has not significantly advanced over recent decades. In the UK alone, over 2,200 cases are diagnosed annually, with a median survival of less than 15 months. Initiatives like the "Rosalind" study represent an important step forward in seeking answers to questions about this devastating disease and may offer hope to future patients.

Important! This article is based on the latest scientific and medical research and is consistent with it. The text is for informational purposes only and does not contain medical advice. For a diagnosis, please consult a doctor.