Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs), particularly M2-polarized TAMs, secrete VEGF and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), fostering tumor angiogenesis and invasion (Zou et al., 2017; Swierczak et al., 2015; Barbetta et al., 2018; Cortese et al., 2020). The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is neoplasm.