In addition to the significant increase of HB-EGF levels in OVCA patients, the concentration of HB-EGF in the peritoneal fluid of OVCA patients was much higher than those of TGF-α and AR (Figure 4), suggesting that HB-EGF is a major EGF family ligand, and is involved in tumour growth and OVCA extension. This evidence concerns the gene TGFA and neoplasm.