Blog

June 20, 1949 – January 2026

The National Foundation for Cancer Research mourns the loss of Dr. Brian Leyland-Jones, a leading figure in global cancer research, a tireless patient advocate, and a cherished member of the NFCR family for more than two decades.

A renowned breast cancer oncologist and translational research leader, Dr. Leyland-Jones played a pivotal role in advancing some of the most important cancer therapies of our time, including Herceptin (trastuzumab) and Taxol (paclitaxel). Over the course of his career, he served as principal investigator on more than 100 clinical studies, authored hundreds of scientific publications, and led two major cancer centers in North America, McGill University Comprehensive Cancer Center and Winship Cancer Center of Emory University. His scientific contributions helped move cancer research from discovery to real-world impact, always with urgency and purpose.

Yet what set Dr. Leyland-Jones apart was not only what he accomplished in laboratories and boardrooms, but what he did quietly, consistently, and often unseen.  For more than two decades, Dr. Leyland-Jones made himself available to patients who reached out to NFCR in moments of fear and uncertainty. He offered his expertise pro bono, answering calls from families desperate for help, guiding them through diagnoses, treatment options, referrals, and next steps. He helped patients both inside the clinic and far beyond its walls, driven by a deep belief that no one facing cancer should feel alone or unheard.

Dr. Leyland-Jones served NFCR in numerous leadership roles, including as Chief Medical Officer and a member of the Scientific Advisory Board, offering steady counsel, scientific rigor, and an unwavering moral compass. Dr. Brian Leyland-Jones’s impact on NFCR was felt at every level of the organization.  He continually challenged all of us to think bigger and act faster, to identify the most promising science and move it forward with the patient always at the center. His guidance reinforced NFCR’s role as a strategic accelerator, committed to advancing the innovative research with urgency, clarity, and compassion.

“For more than two decades, Brian demonstrated unwavering commitment to putting patients first. His passing truly leaves a black hole, a void that cannot be filled, for cancer patients and for NFCR. I will miss his wisdom, his humanity, and the quiet strength he brought to every conversation. Brian’s legacy will continue to guide our work for years to come.” — Sujuan Ba Ph.D., CEO & President, NFCR.

 “Brian had always served cancer patients and NFCR with unmatched dedication, integrity, and compassion.  He embodied the very best of what cancer research and patient advocacy can be. He brought extraordinary scientific rigor, sound judgment, and deep compassion to NFCR. As a board member and trusted leader, Brian helped guide the Foundation with clarity and purpose, always focused on advancing the science that would make the greatest difference for patients. His loss is profound, but his influence on this organization and the field of cancer research will endure.”
— Alfred Slanetz, Ph.D., Chairman, NFCR Board of Directors

Dr. Leyland-Jones’ passing leaves a profound void, not only for NFCR, but across the cancer research and patient communities worldwide.  His legacy lived in the NFCR mission he helped amplify, in the lives of patients he helped, and the scientists he guided.