Although tumour-associated macrophages were reported to be a major source of VEGF-C in breast cancer (Schoppmann et al, 2006), we have recently discovered that cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expressing, highly metastatic human breast cancer cells themselves secrete a copious amount of this factor in cell culture medium (Timoshenko et al, 2006). The gene discussed is VEGFC; the disease is breast cancer.