The EACR conference on Cell Death in Cancer, Amsterdam 26th – 28th January 2012, aims at bringing together researchers from different disciplines with an interest in the role of cell death in tumourigenesis, malignant progression and therapy resistance; as well as the exploitation of cell death pathways for therapeutic targeting. Given its translational character, the conference is of broad interest for basic researchers and medical oncologists as well as for pharmaceutical companies. Furthermore, we envisage providing a platform where young scientists can meet experts in the field of cell death research in an inspiring informal atmosphere to share research findings and to establish or strengthen collaborations. During the last decade the concept of "apoptotic cell death“ as a natural barrier against cancer has evolved to the widened concept of "programmed cell death“ as a cancer barrier. It is now largely recognised that disruption of cell death pathways not only allows cells to deal with microenvironmental stress occurring during carcinogenesis but also to escape the cytotoxic action of chemo-, radio- or immunotherapy. On the other hand, although being beneficial in limiting cancer cell proliferation, programmed cell death II (autophagy) and death by necrosis can have tumour promoting potential. Research about the diverse modes of programmed cell death and their dual role in tumour development and therapy resistance is an exciting and rapidly evolving field which has enormous impact on the development and implementation of novel therapeutic strategies. The topics that will be covered in the conference include important aspects of cell death as it relates to cancer biology and treatment, such as: Cell death signalling, novel forms of programmed cell death, autophagy in cell death and cancer, cancer stem cells and cell death, metabolism and cell death, cell death and the microenvironment, cell death resistance and therapeutic targeting, post-mortem stress and the efficacy of anticancer therapies, biomarkers in early clinical trials