A recent study exploring the localization of perlecan in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) reveals that perlecan and its binding growth factors namely VEGF [binds to HS chains (85)], Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) [HS and protein core (228)], and FGF-7 [protein core (147)] co-localize within the epithelial layer before invasion (176). The gene discussed is HSPG2; the disease is squamous cell carcinoma.