To dissect the mechanisms of E-FABP in suppression of mammary tumor growth we have identified that tumor associated macrophages (TAMs), in particular a specific subset of TAMs which exhibit the CD11b+ F4/80+ CD11c+ MHCII+ phenotype, highly express E-FABP and play a pivotal role in E-FABP-mediated protection against mammary tumor growth and metastasis. This evidence concerns the gene ITGAX and breast cancer.