When Rosie, a seven-year-old rescue dog, was diagnosed with an aggressive and incurable form of mast cell cancer, her owner turned to genomics in search of another option.
Working with the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics at UNSW Sydney, Rosie’s tumour and healthy DNA were sequenced alongside transcriptomic data to identify genetic changes specific to her cancer. These data were then analysed using bioinformatics and AI-assisted approaches to identify potential therapeutic targets and inform the design of a personalised mRNA cancer vaccine, which was produced at the UNSW RNA Institute.
Following treatment, Rosie’s tumours shrank significantly and her quality of life improved. While the vaccine did not cure her cancer, her case demonstrates the potential of genomics to support the rapid development of highly personalised cancer therapies.
The project brought together Rosie’s owner, the Ramaciotti Centre for Genomics, the UNSW RNA Institute and the University of Queensland, showcasing the ability of Australia’s research infrastructure to translate genomic data into innovative therapeutic approaches.
Rosie’s story also highlights the growing convergence of genomics, AI and RNA technology, and the potential for precision medicine approaches developed through veterinary research to inform future human cancer research.