Quantum technologies in healthcare: A narrative review of foundational innovations, biomedical applications, and regulatory horizons

Anuradha  Bhardwaj

Authors

Anuradha Bhardwaj Amity University, Amity Rd, Sector, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India

Keywords:

Biomedical simulation, drug discovery, healthcare innovation, personalized medicine, quantum computing, quantum cryptography, quantum machine learning, quantum sensing

Abstract

Quantum technologies are transforming healthcare by enhancing the fields of diagnostics, therapeutics, data security, and clinical decision-making through principles such as superposition, entanglement, and quantum tunneling. This review highlights the foundational concepts, key biomedical applications, and regulatory perspectives regarding the integration of quantum technologies into modern healthcare systems. A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Articles published up to August 2025 on quantum computing, sensing, and cryptography and their healthcare applications were critically analyzed. The search terms included “quantum computing,” “quantum sensing,” “quantum cryptography,” and “quantum machine learning” combined with “healthcare,” “drug discovery,” and “genomics.” Peer-reviewed articles written in English with direct biomedical relevance were included, while conference abstracts and non-peer-reviewed sources were excluded. Quantum computing enables advanced molecular simulations for drug discovery, the efficient analysis of large-scale omics data, and optimized models for personalized medicine. In addition, quantum sensing supports ultra-sensitive biomarker detection, high-resolution imaging, and early disease diagnosis. Moreover, quantum cryptography ensures robust security for medical data and supports compliance with data protection regulations. Its integration with artificial intelligence further accelerates the clinical translation of these innovations. Quantum technologies present substantial opportunities for predictive, personalized, and secure healthcare delivery. However, technical constraints, integration challenges, and regulatory gaps need to be addressed through interdisciplinary collaboration, infrastructure development, and adaptive policy frameworks to realize its full clinical potential.

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References

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