HB-EGF is a potent inducer of tumor growth and angiogenesis.

Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) has been shown to stimulate the growth of a variety of cells in an autocrine or paracrine manner. Although HB-EGF is widely expressed in tumors compared with normal tissue, its contribution to tumorigenicity is unknown. HB-EGF can be produced as a membrane-anchored form (pro-HB-EGF) and later processed to a soluble form (s-HB-EGF), although a significant amount of pro-HB-EGF remains uncleaved on the cell surface.