“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 Juravinski Research Institute (JRI) is supporting a groundbreaking project by Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton that 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 or 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.
Led by Aly-Khan Lalani, MD, Tobias Berg, MD and Darryl Leong, MBBS, PhD, the research team brings together clinicians, scientists and digital health experts from Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. Patient representatives are also part of the team, ensuring the work reflects real-world needs and experiences.
“We’re excited about what this means for cancer patients,” said Lehana Thabane, chair of the JRI scientific committee and vice-president of research at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton. “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 Hamilton Health Sciences’ Juravinski 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.
“We are grateful to the JRI for funding our work,” said Lalani, a medical oncologist and the 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 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. Join Charles and Margaret’s lasting legacy in pioneering health research by making a gift in support of the JRI.