BCCs and TREM2 + VCAM1+ myeloid cells subsequently establish a self-propagating tumor-immune niche where both BCCs and myeloid cells proliferate stoichiometrically to maintain Smoothened inhibitor (SMOi)-sensitive tumor growth and retain the ability to recruit and instruct additional bone marrow-derived monocytes as BCCs enlarge. This evidence concerns the gene VCAM1 and neoplasm.