Based on the fact that TGFβ1 improves peritumoral angiogenesis in melanomas 14 and acts indirectly as a potent chemoattractant for monocytes/macrophages 15, which releases VEGF in response of TGFβ1 30, we investigated TGFβ1 protein levels in tumors. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is melanoma.