In the present study, sera derived from TG animals (but not from WT animals) up-modulated the transcription and expression of VEGF, IL-8 and MMP-9 from tumor cells, furthering the premise that hCG (and/or free βhCG) may aid in oncogeneic processes by inducing the production of pro-angiogenic moieties and matrix-degrading enzymes. Here, CXCL8 is linked to neoplasm.