Starving tumor therapy is a new approach to treat cancers by blocking the function of angiogenic factors and inhibiting angiogenesis of tumor tissues. Endocrine-gland-derived vascular endothelial growth factor (EG-VEGF) was firstly identified as a novel tissue-selective angiogenic factor in 2001. During the past ten years, it has been demonstrated that EG-VEGF could play a wide range of other biological functions, including inducing differentiation of haematopoiteic stem cells, stimulating contraction of gastrointestinal smooth muscle and regulating development of enteric nervous system (ENS). In addition, the abnormal expression of EG-VEGF is involved in the occurrence and development of several kinds of angiogenesis-dependent diseases, such as tumors and polycystic ovary syndrome. EG-VEGF has been considered as a potential target for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Herein, the recent progress on biological function, related diseases and potential application of EG-VEGF is reviewed.