For this volume of Advances in Pharmacology we have brought together some of the foremost basic science and clinical researchers to discuss some of the new frontiers in the development of targeted cancer therapy. Although still in its formative stages, the development of targeted cancer therapies has already shown incredible promise in a limited number of cancer types. As basic cancer research and drug development continues, we expect this number to grow and more patients to benefit from these exciting advances. Through better patient selection and novel strategies to manage resistance, a future can be envisaged in which cancer can be reduced to the level of a chronic, manageable disease.