Among the proteins that are upregulated upon VEGF activation are the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) and plasmin proteases (74), which act on the vascular network by breaking down the extracellular matrix (ECM) and allow for tumor cell invasion, as well as the migration of the precursor cells that give rise to vascular structures: pericytes and endothelial cells. Here, VEGFA is linked to neoplasm.