They play a key role in promoting tumor immune evasion and efficiently clearing apoptotic cells via MerTK-mediated phagocytosis.116,121,122 Additionally, M2c macrophages degrade the extracellular matrix through the secretion of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP7, MMP8, MMP9) and TIMP1, further aiding tissue repair and sustaining anti-inflammatory responses. The gene discussed is MMP9; the disease is neoplasm.