For the past 25 years, researchers at the Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre at the Institute of Cancer Research, London have been dedicating their lives to making life-changing breakthroughs in breast cancer treatment and prevention.
In this section
History of the centre
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.
The centre's achievements
The UK’s first dedicated breast cancer research centre is home to almost 100 scientists across 14 research teams, all working towards a single goal. And they’ve been behind some of the biggest discoveries in breast cancer.
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.
The current scientists
Behind every scientific discovery is a story. One of highs and lows, obstacles and disappointments, eureka moments and celebrations. Dig deeper and you’ll find the stories of the researchers themselves, their motivations, personal challenges, childhood dreams and hopes for the future.
Our scientists, led by Professor Andrew Tutt, are working together to identify what causes breast cancer, develop effective new therapies and prevent secondary breast cancer from taking lives. They also work closely with clinicians at The Royal Marsden next door, to make sure their research can have maximum impact for people with breast cancer.
Meet our research teams
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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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Molecular oncology team
Professor Nicholas Turner
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Functional Genomics Team
Dr Rachael Natrajan
Looking into the future
Our vision is that by 2050, everyone with breast cancer will live and be supported to live well. With 25 years to go, it’s clear that we need to go further, and faster. We need to invest in the next generation of researchers, capitalise on exciting new technologies, harness the power of collaboration and big data, and explore new developments such as immunotherapy and AI.
We need to build on what we’ve achieved. We need to make more groundbreaking discoveries than ever before, and turn people’s hopes for the future into reality.