Thus, production of VEGF and expression of VEGF receptors Flt-1 and KDR by breast cancer epithelial and stromal cells suggests that VEGF may fulfil not only an angiogenic role, but also play a fundamental role as an autocrine/paracrine regulator in breast cancer, thereby facilitating tumour proliferation and subsequent invasion. The gene discussed is FLT1; the disease is breast carcinoma.