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Patient Thrives Six Years Post-Pancreatic Cancer mRNA Trial

4/19/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Six years after treatment, Donna Gustafson, diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer in 2019, remains alive in a trial led by Dr. Vinod Balachandran testing personalized mRNA vaccines.
Gustafson was among eight patients who generated a strong immune response, producing T cells that target cancer cells.
The trial treated patients with the personalized mRNA vaccine after surgery, alongside chemotherapy, and experts say more research is needed.

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Story summary

Six years after treatment, Donna Gustafson, diagnosed with Stage 2 pancreatic cancer in 2019, remains alive in a trial led by Dr. Vinod Balachandran testing personalized mRNA vaccines.
Gustafson was among eight patients who generated a strong immune response, producing T cells that target cancer cells.
The trial treated patients with the personalized mRNA vaccine after surgery, alongside chemotherapy, and experts say more research is needed.