VEGFA and cancer: VEGF is also associated with tumor progression and poor outcomes in various human cancers.[18,19] The activated platelets and leukocytes are the main sources of VEGF in blood.[20] In cultured endothelial cells, VEGF has been proven to be induced by the elevated levels of glucose and advanced glycation end products.[11] It is interesting that the correlations of VEGF with blood glucose concentrations and immune levels are both found in our cohort study, suggesting an interaction may exist among hyperglycemia, inflammation, and VEGF.