Thus VEGF is an autocrine growthfactor for the tumor cell lines that express VEGFRs(28) and VEGFRs are not specific for endothelialcells and have been localized on several epithelialtumor cells (among them breast cancer) supportingautocrine and paracrine roles for VEGF-A besidesangiogenic stimulation (29). The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is breast carcinoma.