Remembering Martine Van Glabbeke: EORTC Leader in Cancer Trial Design

Martine Van Glabbeke, a senior biostatistician whose work helped shape the scientific backbone of modern cancer clinical trial research, died on 16 April 2026 at the age of 74. She devoted 36 years of her career to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC), where she became a leading figure in the EORTC Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group and a key architect of rigorous academic cancer clinical research methodology.

Her professional life at EORTC began in 1975 as a computer analyst at the EORTC Data Center. She became a biostatistician in 1978 and was later nominated Assistant Director of the EORTC Data Center in 1989. Martine served as the biostatistician for several EORTC groups, including the Early Clinical Trials Group, Clinical Screening Group, Radiotherapy Group, Lymphoma Group, and most notably, the Soft Tissue and Bone Sarcoma Group, which she joined in 1983.

Martine Van Glabbeke’s methodological contributions were foundational to oncology trial design. She helped define meaningful endpoints and tumour-response assessment criteria in sarcoma and other cancer trials, many of which became practice-changing in oncology. Her careful thinking about which measures truly mattered to patients and clinicians helped align trial results with real-world treatment decisions.

Beyond her work in specific disease-oriented groups, Martine shaped how oncologists and statisticians collaborate in cooperative groups. She clarified the role of randomization, sample-size calculation, and data analysis within complex, multi-centre trials. Her frameworks and criteria were adopted by other academic and cooperative-trial networks, influencing the design of oncology trials worldwide.

She was also instrumental as a Director of the Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop, where she guided generations of young oncologists and statisticians in mastering the techniques of protocol development, statistical analysis, and interpretation of clinical results. Through her long-standing involvement in this workshop, she trained generations of professionals in the principles of robust trial design and critical data interpretation.

Her expertise was invaluable in pushing the boundaries of methodological research in oncology with transformative ideas. Martine’s contribution to the development and implementation of criteria for assessing tumour responses is recognised by the wide community of cancer clinical trialists. The developed methodology is now a world-wide standard for oncology clinical trials.

More specifically, as a statistician of the EORTC Sarcoma group, Martine designed and analysed practice-changing clinical trials that truly made a difference for cancer patients. Her work ensured that trial designs were both scientifically sound and clinically relevant, so that the evidence generated could directly improve patient care.

Beyond her scientific achievements, Martine will be remembered as a generous mentor, an inspiring leader, and a deeply kind colleague. EORTC expressed deep regret and profound sadness at her passing, extending heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of working with her.