FGF1 and cancer: Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) is a growth factor for both tumour and stromal (endothelial) cells and induces the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and angiogenesis in cancer, hence its involvement in tumour progression (Aonuma et al, 1998; Kwabi-Addo et al, 2004; Udayakumar et al, 2004).