The subsequent study demonstrated that PIVKA‐II induces both proliferation and migration of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by activating the Kinase insert domain receptor‐Phospholipase C‐γ‐Mitogen‐activated protein kinase (KDR‐PLC‐γ‐MAPK) pathway, suggested that PIVKA‐II is a novel type of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which promotes angiogenesis of HCC.36 This evidence concerns the gene VEGFA and hepatocellular carcinoma.