Numerous reports indicate that growth factors such as VEGF, bFGF, IGF-I and -II are involved in the angiogenic process in various tumours including breast cancer (Kandel et al, 1991; Grant et al, 1993; Heffelfinger et al, 1999; Neufeld et al, 1999; Lee et al, 2000; Yan et al, 2000). The gene discussed is IGF1; the disease is breast carcinoma.