It is now generally accepted that the tumor and its microenvironment (i.e., the stroma) cross-talk to each other at multiple levels to elicit carcinogenesis, invasion and progression to metastasis. In addition to the well-established stepwise accumulation of somatic genetic alterations in tumor cells, it has now become clear that genetic and (epi)genomic alterations that play an important role in the development and/or progression of (solid) tumors also occur in stromal cells and importantly alter their pro-tumorigenic potential.  In this consortium, the first IUAP network focusing on cancer in its totality, a mix of junior and senior top leading cancer, angiogenesis and immunology experts from Belgium together with an European partner are joining forces and using / developing the most advanced state-of-the-art technologies in multi-disciplinary approaches not only to discover new genes and epigenetic factors in murine and human cancers, but also to study their functional role by genetic and pharmacological manipulation in animal models, and to translate these insights into the development of novel possible therapeutic avenues. Importantly, the individual partners have already collaborated with each other and jointly published several high-profile publications in top journals. Furthermore, there is a general consensus amongst all partners that each will greatly benefit from this network, not in the least because of the wealth of available frontline technologies, but also because of the multi-disciplinary approaches that are fertilizing, concept-provocative and bridging groups of scientists who normally interact too little with each other (i.e. tumor cell-focused versus stromal cell-centered). The design of this consortium, combining teams with unique, complementary expertise and high scientific productivity, and a common interest to elucidate epi/genetic mechanisms in cancer, is thus optimally geared to address the specific objectives of the project.