In approximately 60–75% of sporadic clear cell RCCs (ccRCC), the von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumour suppressor gene is inactivated, resulting in stabilization of the hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs), which regulate metabolic and vascular tumour responses, including increased expression of the HIF target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [3–5]. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.