Mission and Strategy

The mission of the UCL Cancer Institute is: 

• Decrease the burden of cancer through laboratory and clinical research
• Develop excellence, establish UCL/UCLH as European exemplar for a comprehensive cancer centre.  
• Educate the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians.
• Achieve our mission through investment in the development and well-being of a diverse team.

Stratified and Personalised Cancer Medicine

This is an exciting time for cancer research and treatment.

New targeted therapies are resulting in major clinical responses. Molecular markers, circulating tumour cells and molecular imaging will be applied to stratify patients to the best therapies. This spares patients unnecessary toxic therapies and facilitates evaluation of responses early during treatment to determine whether patients are responding to specific therapy.

Molecular profiles, including whole genome sequencing information, will determine in the near future the best treatment for each individual patient, as well as helping to predict the likely outcome and adverse affects.

The opening in UCH Macmillan Cancer Centre significantly expanded the outpatient care capabilities at UCLH, providing an opportunity to increase patient numbers and an expansion of patient-orientated and translational cancer research.

We have expanded our GCLP facilities and our CPA accredited laboratories, supporting clinical trials, developed a genomics laboratory for stratified/personalised medicine, increased capacity for cancer-related computational sciences and laboratory space to take advantage of advances in nanotechnology and engineering.

These initiatives will allow translation of this knowledge into innovative cancer drug delivery, gene therapy and biomarker platforms. Additional space has been allocated for radiation biology research, supporting the first proton treatment centre in the U.K, with UCLH. We will continue to invest in facilities and space for teaching, expanding our flagship MSc Cancer course.