HGF and breast cancer: van der Pluijm et al (2001) observed significantly elevated mRNA levels for VEGF-A and -B in bone metastases compared with soft tissue metastases induced by the human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231. Di Raimondo et al (2000) similarly detected higher concentrations of the angiogenic peptides (VEGF, bFGF (basic fibroblast growth factor) and HGF (hepatocyte growth factor)) in bone marrow than in the peripheral circulation of patients with multiple myeloma.