In the tumor microenvironment, macrophages release activating cytokines such as IL-12, IL-15, and IL-18, which alone or collaboratively promote NK cell survival, proliferation, and maturation and the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ and GMCSF, further enhancing the anti-tumor cytotoxicity of NK cells. The gene discussed is CSF2; the disease is neoplasm.