VEGFA and neoplasm: Cytokines and VEGF attract monocytes and bone marrow-derived cells into the tumor environment, which differentiate into myofibroblasts/fibroblasts and tumor-associated macrophages, respectively.16 A subset of bone marrow-derived cells express α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), indicating that bone marrow-derived cells are activated and involved in tissue repair.13 The induction of α-SMA alters cytoskeletal organization, which increases the contractile ability of myo-fibroblasts.