HBEGF and neoplasm: HB‐EGF‐/‐ mice show neonatal lethality with dilated cardiac chambers and eyelid defects.9, 10, 11 In addition, HB‐EGF takes part in skin wound healing,12 liver regeneration,13 and gut mucosa restitution.14, 15 HB‐EGF is also involved in pathological processes such as tumor progression and metastasis;16 for example, transgenically expressed HB‐EGF is tumorigenic in pancreas.17 All these studies point to pro‐proliferation and anabolic roles for HB‐EGF.