In particular, ATG5−/− macrophages isolated from DEN-treated mice show upregulation of genes associated with an immunosuppressive phenotype or which have been identified as major players in cancer development and progression such as Chil1, Chil3 and IL-13 as well as S100A8, S100A9, VEGF-A, MMP8 and Adenosine A2a receptor. The gene discussed is MMP8; the disease is cancer.