CSF1/CSF1R signaling indirectly promotes tumor progression by regulating the functions of macrophages, or directly, by promoting release of inflammatory mediators from tumor cells [123].• Co-overexpression of TWIST1 and CSF1 promotes OSCC invasiveness [124].• The Oct4/CSF1 axis promotes M2 macrophage polarization, leading to lung cancer growth and metastasis [125].• miR-149 acts as a metastasis-suppressing microRNA in breast cancer cells by reducing recruitment and M2-polarization of macrophages induced by CSF1 [126]. The gene discussed is CSF1; the disease is lung cancer.