Although several TAM-targeting agents, such as CCR2 inhibitors, anti-CSF1R antibodies and anti-CD40 agonists, have been applied in clinical trials owing to their roles in blocking macrophage recruitment, survival and eliminating immunosuppression,2 6 15 some drawbacks including off-targets and side effects on their application to cancer therapy, should be given more attention. The gene discussed is CSF1R; the disease is cancer.