An experimental mRNA cancer vaccine developed with the help of artificial intelligence (AI) has shown promising results after successfully shrinking a tumor in a dog in Sydney, raising hopes for future human treatments.
The case involved Rosie, an eight-year-old rescue dog diagnosed with an aggressive mast cell cancer in 2024. Her owner, Australian tech entrepreneur Paul Conyngham, sought new treatment ideas after conventional therapies failed to improve her condition.
Conyngham used a chatbot and AI tools to analyze genetic data and explore possible treatment options. He then collaborated with scientists at the University of New South Wales, where researchers conducted DNA sequencing of the tumor to identify mutations responsible for the disease.
Based on the findings, the team designed a personalized mRNA vaccine, which Rosie received during the Christmas period in 2025. Within weeks, researchers observed that one of her tumors had shrunk by nearly 50 percent.
Martin Smith, associate professor of computational biology and director of the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics at the university, described the result as remarkable, saying it raised important questions about the potential for similar treatments in humans.
Researchers said the tumor has not disappeared completely, but the treatment has made the dog more comfortable and improved her condition. Conyngham is now working with scientists to develop a second vaccine targeting another tumor that did not respond to the initial therapy.
However, some experts have urged caution. Biomedical engineer Patrick Heiser noted that while the experiment is impressive, a single successful case does not prove the treatment’s effectiveness, and further research is required.
Scientists say the development highlights the potential of combining AI, genetic analysis, and mRNA technology to create personalized treatments that could one day transform cancer care.
