Concomitant expression of VEGF and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-11, a MMP related with cancer cell survival, has been reported as a predictor for progression from precancerous stage to malignancy [25] and serum VEGF-A levels are reported to be higher in patients with OPMDs than healthy controls, with sensitivity and specificity values of 63% and 80% [21]. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is cancer.