However, in addition to the immune functions of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), extensive research has shown that TAMs regulate tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and angiogenesis via the release of epidermal growth factor, chemokines, MMP, and VEGF. The density of TAMs is associated with a poor prognosis (38–41). The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.