Evidence also indicates that the SASP of senescent fibroblasts enhances proliferation and facilitates the malignant transformation of pre-malignant epithelial cells along with tumor vascularization; events mediated by the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 [121], IL-8 [122], vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) [123], and the matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) [124], while inducing senescence in adjacent non-senescent cells as a bystander effect in a manner that contributes to the heterogeneity of premalignant lesions. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.