In the clinic, numerous tyrosine kinases2, 3, 4, 5 and monoclonal antibodies6, 7 that block VEGF or its receptors (VEGF‐R1‐3) have been shown to improve overall survival of patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in both the first‐ and second‐line setting. This evidence concerns the gene FLT1 and hepatocellular carcinoma.