Hamilton researchers use AI to refine liquid biopsy

HAMILTON, Ont. — A groundbreaking research project by Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS), McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton could transform cancer treatment in Hamilton and serve as a model for cancer care across Canada.

The initiative, called Enhancing Liquid Biopsy Evaluation and Data Analytics for Personalized Medicine (ELEVATe-PM), will develop better ways to detect and track cancer using simple blood tests. These tests, known as liquid biopsies, can identify minimal residual disease — tiny amounts of cancer that may remain after treatment — and help doctors tailor care to each patient’s needs.

This project, funded by the Juravinski Research Institute (JRI), is led by three HHS physician-researchers: medical oncologist Dr. Aly-Khan Lalani (pictured left), hematologist Dr. Tobias Berg (pictured centre), and cardiologist Dr. Darryl Leong (pictured right), who is also the associate chief medical information officer for research at HHS.

Lalani and Berg are scientists with the Escarpment Cancer Research Institute (ECRI) while Leong is a senior scientist with the Population Health Research Institute (PHRI). The ECRI and PHRI are both joint research institutes of HHS and McMaster University.

“We are grateful to the JRI for funding our work,” said Lalani, the project’s nominated lead principal investigator. “Together with our collaborative, city-wide team, we aim to integrate innovative blood testing into routine clinical workflows to benefit patients in Hamilton. We will also harness the power of AI and data analytics to evaluate and enhance efficiencies within our cancer research program. Throughout this project, we will actively seek international best practices from leading researchers in these fields.”

The research team brings together clinicians, scientists and digital health experts from HHS, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Patient representatives receiving care at HHS Juravinski Hospital are also part of the team, ensuring the work reflects real-world needs and experiences.

“This research project is an excellent example of how our patients are often the first to benefit from new, leading-edge tests, treatments and cures developed by top Canadian researchers working right here in Hamilton,” says Dr. Marc Jeschke, vice-president of research and innovation for HHS, and chief scientific officer.

Dr. Lehana Thabane, chair of the JRI scientific committee and vice-president of research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton, adds, “We’re excited about what this means for cancer patients. This project combines cutting-edge diagnostics with artificial intelligence to support more personalized, effective care. It’s about delivering the right treatment to the right patient at the right time.”

The program will initially include select patients diagnosed with bladder cancer, kidney cancer and acute myeloid leukemia at HHS Juravinski Hospital and Cancer Centre. It will build streamlined systems to collect and analyze specific biomarkers in blood — such as circulating tumour DNA or cancer-related proteins (such as KIM-1) — making it easier for clinicians to monitor disease and make treatment decisions.

ELEVATe-PM will also harness electronic health records and advanced data analytics to identify patients who could benefit from the tests. The team aims to integrate results directly into care plans, helping oncologists act quickly and accurately.

With the potential to expand to other cancer types, the project positions Hamilton as a leader in personalized cancer care and health data innovation.

The JRI is improving the health of Canadians by advancing groundbreaking research at Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. The Institute and its projects are funded through the generosity of the late Hamilton philanthropists, Charles and Margaret Juravinski, and the Juravinski Foundation.