Quantum Computing, Quantum Machine Learning, and Quantum Mechanical Principles in Medical Physics: A PRISMA 2020-Compliant Systematic Review
Abstract
Objectives: The convergence of quantum computing, quantum machine learning, and quantum mechanical principles represents an emerging paradigm in medical physics. Classical methods encounter hard limits in treatment planning, molecular-scale drug simulation, and medical image interpretation. The four quantum phenomena superposition, entanglement, quantum tunneling, and quantum coherence offer distinct routes around these barriers through both hardware sensing and algorithmic frameworks.
To systematically identify, appraise, and synthesise evidence on applications of quantum computing, quantum machine learning, and quantum mechanical principles in medical physics, mapping the evidence base, assessing clinical readiness, and proposing a research roadmap.
Materials and Methods: A PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, IEEE Xplore, Web of Science, arXiv, and bioRxiv (January 2015 – March 2026). Two independent reviewers screened 5,248 identified records. After deduplication, screening, and eligibility assessment, 133 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis and 89 in the quantitative performance comparison. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified CLAIM checklist and QUADAS-2 framework.
Results: Four application clusters emerged. Superposition underpins hyperpolarized ¹³C MRI (technology readiness level (TRL) 7) and hybrid quantum CNN architectures. Entanglement enables OPM-MEG neuroimaging (TRL 6–7) and quantum kernel classification. Quantum tunneling drives radiotherapy optimisation (TRL 4–5). Quantum coherence supports variational algorithms for drug discovery (TRL 2–3) and quantum dot theranostics (TRL 3–4). Hybrid quantum–classical methods outperformed classical baselines, though most studies showed high risk of bias.
Conclusions: Quantum-enhanced sensing and hybrid quantum–classical treatment planning are credible near-term clinical translation targets. Fault-tolerant drug simulation and large-scale quantum AI await hardware maturation beyond 2030. Critical enablers include standardised benchmarking, quantum-specific regulatory guidance, and equity planning.
Keywords
- Quantum computing
- Quantum machine learning
- Medical physics
- NISQ
- Systematic review
- PRISMA 2020
- Hyperpolarized MRI
- OPM-MEG
- Quantum annealing
- Variational quantum eigensolver
- Quantum dots
Ethical Statement
References
- Tierney TM, Holmes N, Mellor S, López JD, Roberts G, Hill RM, et al. Optically pumped magnetometers: from quantum origins to multi-channel magnetoencephalography. Neuroimage 2019;199:598-608.
- Brookes MJ, Boto E, Rea M, Shah V, Osborne J, Holmes N, et al. Theoretical advantages of a triaxial optically pumped magnetometer magnetoencephalography system. Neuroimage 2021;236:118025.
- Woitek R, Brindle KM. Hyperpolarized carbon-13 MRI in breast cancer. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023;13(13):2311.
- Arute F, Arya K, Babbush R, Bacon D, Bardin JC, Barends R, et al. Quantum supremacy using a programmable superconducting processor. Nature 2019;574(7779):505-510.
- Zhong HS, Wang H, Deng YH, Chen MC, Peng LC, Luo YH, et al. Quantum computational advantage using photons. Science 2020;370(6523):1460-1463.
- Biamonte J, Wittek P, Pancotti N, Rebentrost P, Wiebe N, Lloyd S. Quantum machine learning. Nature 2017;549(7671):195-202.
- McArdle S, Endo S, Aspuru-Guzik A, Benjamin SC, Yuan X. Quantum computational chemistry. Rev Mod Phys 2020;92(1):015003.
- Preskill J. Quantum computing in the NISQ era and beyond. Quantum 2018;2:79.
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Physics
Journal Section
Systematic Reviews and Meta Analysis
Publication Date
October 1, 2026
Submission Date
June 3, 2026
Acceptance Date
July 9, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 13 Number: 2