CSCs are localized in a perivascular niche, and VEGF secreted from these cells functions in a paracrine manner to stimulate angiogenesis in nascent tumours; simultaneously, autocrine VEGF signalling can promote dedifferentiation and an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) resulting in increased migration and invasion into the stroma12. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.