This conference focuses attention on the cancer cell itself, exploring the cell-intrinsic mechanisms that drive carcinogenesis and cancer progression. The meeting emphasizes understanding how genetic, epigenetic, and metabolic changes within cancer cells contribute to tumor evolution, heterogeneity, and plasticity, in order to provide new insights into potential strategies for therapeutic interventions. While other meetings in the field focus on the tumor microenvironment and crosstalk between cells within the tumor, this meeting will take a distinct approach to pinpoint cancer cell vulnerabilities, and therapeutic strategies targeting intrinsic pathways. By bringing together experts from academia, industry, and medicine to examine the underpinnings of tumor development and evolution, we will inspire new approaches to cancer treatment.