The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre brings together world leaders in key research areas, with the sole aim of tackling breast cancer and stopping people dying from the disease.
In 1999, the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre opened its doors to some of the brightest minds in research. Housed in the Mary-Jean Mitchell-Green Building at the Institute of Cancer Research, our research centre continues to advance our understanding what causes breast cancer and how to treat it.
The Centre is led by Professor Andrew Tutt and hosts 14 different research teams. All working together to identify what causes breast cancer, develop effective new therapies and prevent secondary breast cancer from taking lives. They work closely with clinicians at The Royal Marsden next door to make sure their research can have maximum impact for people with breast cancer.
Key facts
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First of its kind
Our research centre was the first research centre in the UK dedicated to studying breast cancer.
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145 scientists
The centre is home to around 145 scientists across 14 teams.
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Our investment
To date, we have invested around £299 million in world-class breast cancer research.
Impact of the research centre
Creating new targeted treatments
Our centre helped develop the targeted use of olaparib for some people with BRCA1/2 gene changes.
Improving the use of chemo
Scientists helped select tests that now help some people with breast cancer safely avoid chemo.
Pioneering cancer blood tests
We funded research into blood tests that can detect relapse earlier and could help guide treatment.
Understanding cancer spread
Our researchers identified how healthy cells can help cancer cells can spread around the body.
Targeting lobular breast cancer
Research revealed that a lung cancer drug could help treat some secondary lobular breast cancers.
Harnessing the immune system
Scientists discovered molecules that train the immune system to recognise and destroy breast cancer.
History
Toby Robins
In 1986 the actress Toby Robins died from breast cancer. Her husband Bill Freedman and their family refused to accept that her story should end there. Instead, he turned her loss into something remarkable.
Together with Professor Barry Gusterson of the Institute of Cancer Research, he recognised that a new approach was needed to tackle the disease.
Their vision was a centre of excellence for breast cancer research, with experts working under one roof on a coordinated programme of research.
Mary-Jean Mitchell Green
Successful businesswoman Mary-Jean Mitchell Green was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and died of the disease just two years later at the age of only 38. When Mary-Jean knew she didn’t have long to live, she created a foundation to fund the fight against breast cancer. Her husband, Peter Green donated more than £1.6 million to support the building of the UK’s first dedicated breast cancer research centre, housed here in the Mary-Jean Mitchell Green Building named in her memory.
The Mary-Jean Mitchell Green Foundation continues to fund research taking place at the Centre, making sure that Mary-Jean’s legacy continues to help prevent women dying from breast cancer.
Other research groups at our research centre
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Target validation and DNA damage response team
Professor Andrew Tutt
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Molecular cell biology team
Professor Clare Isacke
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Cell Death and Immunity team
Professor Pascal Meier
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Molecular oncology team
Professor Nicholas Turner
