VEGF works as a principal mediator of normal and pathological angiogenesis (Ferrara and Davis-Smyth, 1997) and is secreted by a wide variety of cell types, including neutrophils, platelets and tumour cells (Senger et al, 1993; Amoroso et al, 1997; Taichman et al, 1997; Verheul et al, 1997). The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.