Schematic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ligand and receptor family members in lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis. Both VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D, specific ligands for VEGF receptor 3 (VEGFR‐3), potently stimulate tumor lymphangiogenesis. Neuropilin‐2, the VEGF‐C coreceptor, is induced in tumor‐associated lymphatic endothelial cells, leading to enhanced tumor lymphangiogenesis. Major ligand VEGF‐A for receptor tyrosine kinases VEGFR‐1 and VEGFR‐2, positively mediates angiogenesis, as well as lymphangiogenesis in experimental tumor models. PIGF, placenta growth factor.