The European research initiative ‘Federated Secure Computing’ introduces a pioneering method to analyze patient information from various institutions while ensuring security and anonymity.
The Federated Secure Computing project, which receives funding from the Stifterverband, focuses on analyzing cancer patient data across the European health data space. This is achieved without the need to exchange any actual patient data, thanks to a cutting-edge cryptographic technique called secure multiparty computation. The collaborative European team consists of researchers from LMU Munich in Germany, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS in Italy, and cybersecurity specialists from Cybernetica based in Estonia.
Recently, the researchers introduced a new pilot study that addresses both the technical and legal hurdles present in clinical cancer research, while strictly adhering to European regulations that protect patient privacy and data. The findings from this study were published in the journal npj Digital Medicine.
Hendrik Ballhausen, the project lead at LMU, illustrates how multiple partner institutions create a secure computer framework: “No one party can access another’s data. Encrypted calculations are performed using secret shares across the network. Mathematically, the protocol ensures that only the outcome of the collective computation is revealed, but individual patient data remains private.”
The research utilized health data from patients at LMU University Hospital and the Policlinico Universitario Fondazione Agostino Gemelli in Rome. This method particularly supports patients with adrenal tumors who are going through radiotherapy. Professor Stefanie Corradini, the Deputy Clinic Director of Radiotherapy at LMU University Hospital, highlights the research’s aim: “This study helps us better understand risk factors and could lead to more precise therapies with fewer side effects, ultimately improving patients’ survival rates and quality of life.”
“Our institutions offer advanced radiotherapy techniques guided by magnetic resonance imaging,” remarks Luca Boldrini, a physician at the Advanced Radiation Therapy Centre “Gemelli ART.” “Thanks to our collaboration, we can exchange data on this innovative, yet rare, radiotherapy technology much more efficiently than we could have individually.”
The team built an infrastructure based on Sharemind MPC, a secure computing platform developed by the Estonian company Cybernetica. “Secure Multiparty Computing significantly boosts privacy and interoperability in healthcare,” states Dr. Dan Bogdanov, Chief Scientific Officer at Cybernetica. “When strong end-to-end security and proven policy enforcement are needed, cryptography provides essential tools,” he adds.
Collaboration with data use committees, access panels, and data protection officers played a crucial role in this initiative. Legal support was provided by a specialized law firm, and the project was governed by a cooperation agreement among the three partner institutions, alongside ethical approvals and patient consent. “Moving forward, we must leverage health data for research more effectively and swiftly. This aligns with the goals of the Bavarian Cloud for Health Research within the Bavarian Highmed agenda,” emphasizes Professor Markus Lerch, CEO and Medical Director of LMU University Hospital, who backs the project.
The team is already exploring additional use cases. Hendrik Ballhausen invites those from various sectors—industry, academia, and public institutions—to engage: “We aim to provide guidance on applying our methodology to other fields. Federated Secure Computing exemplifies modern European data protection that enhances the value of data. This innovative approach to data privacy does not impede collaboration; rather, it fosters and expedites further initiatives.”
