Projects
MOMENTUM
Creating a data repository for tracking outcomes of combining imaging and treatment of common cancer types
MOMENTUM (The Multiple Outcome Evaluation of Radiotherapy Using the MR-linac) combines the forces of partners from academia and industry to develop a linked clinical and technical data repository to track the outcomes of combining imaging (magnetic resonance, MR) and treatment (radiotherapy) of common cancer types in a single machine.
21
partners in EU, UK, Canada, US, and Australia
7 1/2 years
2018-2026
About MOMENTUM
MOMENTUM will use Elekta’s Unity magnetic resonance radiation therapy (MR/RT) system MR-Linac, which integrates a state-of-the-art linear accelerator (to deliver radiation therapy) into a high-resolution MR device. The MR-Linac Unity is the first of its kind that allows clinicians to see and track difficult-to-visualize soft tissue anatomies in real-time during radiation treatment. The primary goal of the MOMENTUM Study is to create a linked clinical and technical data repository that will support optimization of Unity software and treatment paradigms and evaluate treatment outcomes in common cancer types.
Radiation therapy is essential for the treatment of many cancer types, but is also associated with severe side effects. By combining real time MR visualization with radiation therapy, the MR-linac aims to offer an optimal radiation treatment approach to improve patients’ survival, while also reducing damage to surrounding, healthy tissue. The MOMENTUM study will help to define how different types of tumours should be treated and identify which patients can benefit the most from this approach.
MOMENTUM is a global collaboration coordinated by UMC Utrecht, and involves partners from academia and industry in Europe, Australia, the United States and Canada. MOMENTUM involves fourteen world-leading oncology medical centres across Europe, Australia and North America (five in the Netherlands, three in the United Kingdom, three in the United States, two in Canada and Italy, and one each in Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and Australia).
Those who are interested, can download the MOMENTUM package, which includes the data dictionary, the standard operating procedures, and the clinical protocol.
Enabling unification of stakeholders
Lygature played an instrumental role in setting up the governance structure and drafting a consortium agreement that met the founding partners’ needs. Furthermore, Lygature utilizes its management capabilities to ensure that the project delivers optimal treatments for all patients. Activities include:
- Partnership management. Lygature plays a pivotal role in amalgamating the partnership, creating one coherent research consortium. As an independent enabler, Lygature focuses entirely on making the collaboration work for the benefit of all partners, ensuring valuable output for the development of this innovative medical solution for patients.
- Agreement support. Lygature provides support in translation of the project in clear contractual language and well-balanced rights and obligations of all partners. Lygature will monitor the continued adequacy of the agreement and guide required amendments based on the developments within the consortium.
- Data infrastructure expertise. Lygature provides the necessary expertise needed to set up data management plans and to develop standard operating procedures to ensure smooth operation within the project.
- Project management and monitoring. Lygature handles day-to-day operations of the MOMENTUM study, including drafting and assessing project activity reports and structuring actions. Lygature also provides the project with an ICT environment for file sharing and publication management.
MOMENTUM contributes to Lygature’s mission of accelerating the development of new medical solutions for patients. Lygature provides extensive management capabilities and expertise as a custodian of trust to move this multi-stakeholder research project forward.
Lygature together with
Project updates
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2000th patient milestone reached in MOMENTUM study
MOMENTUM, a study focused on tracking the outcomes of combining Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Radiation Therapy (RT) to treat various types of cancer, has successfully enrolled 2000 patients.
Just over two and a half years since the study started in 2019, and only nine months after enrolling the 1000th patient, the MOMENTUM study team has now announced that the number of enrolled patients reached 2000 patients. This is great news, as evidence-based introduction of this new technology is facilitated by data gathered from all participants in the study.
The 2000th patient was recruited at the by MOMENTUM study partner Odense Universitetshospital (OUH) in Denmark. The MOMENTUM Principal Investigator of the MOMENTUM study at OUH, Dr Tine Schytte, said: “enrolment of patient number 2000 in the MOMENTUM protocol is an important milestone. It reflects the dedication of many individuals and hard work to produce evidence-based implementation of the MR-Linac through international collaboration. We at Odense University Hospital are happy to be part of the project and are looking forward to continuing the collaboration.”
Professor Lenny Verkooijen, manager of the MOMENTUM study also welcomed the news: “It is really wonderful to see that 2000 patients have given us permission to use their routine data for research purposes. Thanks to them, we are able to investigate (amongst others) where patients outcomes need to be improved, and in which areas MR-Linac can make most impact in terms of disease control, toxicity reduction, or improved logistics.”
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First edition of the MOMENTUM newsletter 2021
The first edition of the MOMENTUM Newsletter for 2021 is now available. In this issue, we celebrate the 1000th patient recruited into the MOMENTUM study, we bid farewell to our consortium team member Sophie de Mol van Otterloo, and we welcome a new study site to the project.
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MOMENTUM study celebrates the recruitment of its 1000th patient
Just eight months after enrolling its 500th patient, the MOMENTUM study team has now announced that yet another milestone has been achieved, with the 1000th patient recruited this past November.
This is a fantastic achievement for the entire MOMENTUM team. Thanks to all the study participants, better treatments will be found in the fight against cancer tumours in the future.
The 1000th patient was recruited by MOMENTUM study partner, Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH). Commenting on the news, Dr Shaista Hafeez, the MOMENTUM Principal Investigator (PI) at RMH said: “The successful enrolment of the 1000th MOMEMTUM patient is definitely an exciting milestone. It reflects the hard work and dedication of so many individuals whose common goal is to facilitate evidence-based implementation of the MR-Linac into clinical practice through international collaboration. My congratulations to Professor Verkooijen and her team. We at The Royal Marsden Hospital & The Institute of Cancer Research look forward to continuing to work with you.”
Professor Lenny Verkooijen, PI of the entire MOMENTUM study, said: "Congratulations to our colleagues at Royal Marsden Hospital. Many thanks to this wonderful team and to all MOMENTUM participants who give us the opportunity to learn from every patient treated on MR-Linac.”