This cytokine is secreted by stromal cells such as T cells and macrophages (Becher et al., 2016) and drives tumor progression through a dual mechanism: first, by inducing the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) toward an immunosuppressive M2 phenotype and promoting the secretion of immunosuppressive factors such as IL-10 and TGF-β (Li et al., 2020; Greter et al., 2012); second, by activating the MAPK signaling pathway to accelerate tumor cell proliferation and migration (Li et al., 2020). The gene discussed is TGFB1; the disease is neoplasm.