Control of cell proliferation is of fundamental importance to cancer chemotherapy. One of the key signalling events leading to cellular activities (i.e. cell division, proliferation, migration) involves Growth Factors such as Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor (HGF/SF) and Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs). They bind to specific transmembrane tyrosine kinase receptors at the cell surface. This can only take place in the presence of heparin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans. The literature in this area is reviewed.