TAMs usually exhibit an M2-like phenotype and may have a strong immunoreactive function in the initial stages of cancer; in later stages, the microenvironment is enriched with growth factors and anti-inflammatory mediators such as IL-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor-b(TGF-b), which induce macrophage polarisation, and the cells thus acquire an M2 phenotype with tumour-promoting functions Macrophages polarise towards the M1 phenotype in response to factors such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), IFN-g, and TNF-a, which play a proinflammatory role and immune function. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is cancer.