The Pat Kenny Show Luke O’Neill on the latest developments in cancer treatment
Mar 28, 2026
Luke O’Neill, Professor of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, explains cutting-edge cancer advances. He describes engineered bacteria that eat tumours, how tweaks let them survive changing oxygen levels, and plans for human trials. He also covers personalised RNA vaccines guided by AI, rapid production, striking responses in pets and early human trial successes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Engineered Clostridium Eats Tumours From Inside
- Bacteria can be engineered to selectively grow inside low-oxygen tumour cores and consume tumour nutrients.
- Researchers modified Clostridium sporoangines to tolerate rising oxygen so it survives as the tumour shrinks and kills cancer from within.
Owner Uses AI And RNA Vaccine To Save His Dog
- Paul Cunningham sequenced his dog Rosie's tumour and used AI to find mutations, then made an RNA vaccine that reduced the tumour by 75% in weeks.
- Cunningham used ChatGPT to spot the DNA differences and paid about A$3,000 for the personalised treatment.
RNA Cancer Vaccines Are Rapidly Advancing
- Success with personalised RNA cancer vaccines in animals supports rapid human trial expansion and validates the approach.
- Luke O'Neill notes 120 active cancer vaccine trials and cites lung cancer and melanoma trials showing substantial survival and recurrence benefits.