A research project called Federated Secure Computing, funded by the Stifterverband, is working on cancer patient data analysis within the European health data space. This project allows for cross-border analysis without sharing any actual patient data, using a modern cryptographic method known as secure multiparty computation. The research team consists of scientists from LMU Munich in Germany, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS in Italy, and cryptography experts from Cybernetica in Estonia.
In a recent pilot study, researchers demonstrated a method that addresses technical and legal challenges in clinical cancer research while adhering to strict European regulations on patient privacy and data protection. The study’s findings were published in the journal npj Digital Medicine.
Hendrik Ballhausen, who initiated the project at LMU, explained that multiple partner institutions form a secure computing network. He stated, “Neither party has access to the others’ data. End-to-end encrypted calculations occur on secret shares across the network. The protocol is mathematically proven to only reveal the result of the joint calculation, never the individual patient data.”
The data set included health information from patients at LMU University Hospital and Policlinico Universitario Fondazione Agostino Gemelli in Rome. This method specifically aids patients with adrenal gland tumors undergoing radiotherapy. Professor Stefanie Corradini, Deputy Clinic Director of Radiotherapy at LMU, noted the institutions provide advanced radiotherapy guided by magnetic resonance imaging. Luca Boldrini, a physician at Gemelli ART, emphasized that collaboration allows both institutions to share data on this innovative radiotherapy technology more efficiently.
The team utilized Sharemind MPC, a secure computing platform developed by Cybernetica. Dr. Dan Bogdanov, Chief Scientific Officer at Cybernetica, stated, “Secure Multiparty Computing can significantly enhance privacy and interoperability in healthcare.” He added that cryptography offers the necessary tools for strong security and compliance.
Close cooperation with data use committees and data protection officers was crucial for the project. A specialist law firm supported the initiative, which was governed by a cooperation agreement among the institutions, along with ethics votes and patient consent. Professor Markus Lerch, CEO and Medical Director of LMU University Hospital, highlighted the need for faster and better research use of health data, aligning with the Bavarian Cloud for Health Research initiative.
The team is exploring additional use cases. Ballhausen encouraged stakeholders from various sectors to adopt their approach, stating, “Federated Secure Computing represents modern European data protection that increases data value. This approach facilitates and accelerates collaboration.”
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