COL18A1 and neoplasm: ECM-driven angiogenesis in cancer occurs through several mechanisms: i) the ECM provides a scaffold for EC migration and tube formation; ii) MMP-mediated ECM and BM degradation are required for tumor cell migration and as sources of pro-angiogenic growth factors (e.g., VEGF and FGF) (108); iii) ECM molecules such as FNs (109), HA (93, 108), TSP, angiostatin, and endostatin (73, 108, 110) directly regulate tumor angiogenesis.