Revolutionizing cancer research with AI and quantum technology

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. According to the Canadian Cancer Society, more than 100 different types of cancer-related diseases are diagnosed annually.

The University of Waterloo — renowned for its innovative research and academic excellence in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and machine learning — has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM), at University Health Network (UHN). The agreement will lay the groundwork for collaborative opportunities and taking a significant step forward in cancer research.

“This MOU is not just a formal agreement, but a pivotal step towards advancing medical technology and improving health care outcomes through collaboration and innovation,” said Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo, during his remarks at the MOU signing ceremony with PM on September 30.

“At Waterloo, our commitment to health innovation is reflected in our interdisciplinary approach to health technology. We excel at the intersections of health, society, technology and entrepreneurship. By engaging with partners like PM to co-create solutions advancing population health, we offer Canadians a future-facing model for more sustainable community-based health systems.”

Dr. Keith Stewart, vice-president of Cancer and director of the Princess Margaret Cancer Program, and Dr. Vivek Goel, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo, at the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony with Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PM).

Dr. Goel expressed optimism about the partnership’s potential to reshape cancer research and treatment. He mentioned how Waterloo had been selected as the site for the new regional hospital earlier this year. Developing a new hospital also signifies the deepening of Waterloo’s collaboration with local health-care institutions.

Leaders and delegations from both institutions gathered in person and virtually to formally launch the initiative between Waterloo and PM, at a time when AI is transforming cancer care. The MOU fosters an environment where researchers and medical professionals can collaborate on AI-driven projects focused on disease detection, treatment and integration with existing health systems, ensuring more precise and personalized patient care.

“I really believe that together, we can reshape the landscape of cancer research, treatment and diagnosis by levering technologies and making groundbreaking achievements together,” said Dr. Keith Stewart, vice-president of Cancer and director of the Princess Magaret Cancer Program. “We look forward to a future filled with promise, progress and a very united effort towards break throughs that will change lives and shape the future of cancer care.”

PM, Canada’s largest comprehensive cancer centre, cares for 91,500 patients annually. The collaboration will harness PM’s oncology expertise alongside Waterloo’s research capabilities. Together, they aim to enhance health-care delivery and make quality care accessible for all. Both institutions aim to offer equal opportunities to utilize their combined resources for innovative solutions in cancer treatment.

Dr. Keith Stewart and Dr. Vivek Goel holding their signed MOU documents in Needles Hall.

Stewart explained how PM has previously used artificial intelligence to improve patient matching for clinical trials. Further, PM has invested in developing AI models for radiation therapy planning, which helped enhance accuracy and efficiency in patient care.

“This collaboration is a unique opportunity to harness the power of technology and drive innovation in personalized cancer care and research,” said Dr. Kevin Smith, president and CEO of UHN, who addressed the meeting via video conference. “At UHN we are committed to partnering with leading institutions like the University of Waterloo to bring forward solutions that go beyond boundaries.”

The partnership will also facilitate future educational opportunities for students, integrating Waterloo’s existing co-operative program. Collaborative scholarship grants will support future projects addressing health-care challenges and enhancing outcomes in cancer care.

“At Waterloo, we have core values of thinking differently, acting with purpose and working together — all of these are foundational to what we're trying to do with the MOU in terms of thinking differently,” said Dr. Charmaine Dean, vice-president of Research and International at Waterloo.

“We are a research-intensive university with a Faculty of Health, but not a medical school. We see health innovation through a different kind of lens. We are reimagining health care using technology, and in terms of accuracy, it's not just our faculty at Waterloo. It's our entrepreneurs, our graduate students and our co-op students who are making contributions.”

The University’s investment in AI technology is evident through the Waterloo Data and Artificial Intelligence Institute, its labs, researchers and a thriving community of startups and research initiatives. The Institute for Quantum Computing further enriches this partnership, focusing on breakthroughs in quantum communication, cryptography and sensing, which have significant implications for health care applications.

As the landscape of health care continues to evolve, this MOU sets the stage for groundbreaking initiatives that will push the boundaries of technology and improve patient experiences. Together, Waterloo and PM are committed to driving meaningful change in health care through research, innovation and collaboration.