One of the defining features of later stage brain tumours is that the blood-brain barrier (BBB) has become permeabilised by dysregulated angiogenesis, mechanical disruption and inflammation, mediated by factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), brain angiogenesis inhibitor-1, and NF-κβ, amongst others70,71. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is brain neoplasm.