Editorial: Deciphering macrophage polarization/transition in human inflammatory disease and cancer

Several studies emphasize the clinical and prognostic relevance of macrophage heterogeneity in cancer. Cao et al. used a combination of transcriptomic profiling and computational modelling to identify gene signatures associated with macrophages that can be used to predict patient outcomes in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2025.1612262). This highlights the prognostic and functional importance of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs Collectively, the contributions to this Research Topic reinforce several unifying principles. Macrophage polarization is dynamic and context-dependent, with close links to local microenvironmental cues. Advanced methodologies, including single-cell transcriptomics, integrative bioinformatics and functional validation, are essential for understanding macrophage heterogeneity and translating mechanistic insights into clinical applications. Integrating basic, translational, and clinical perspectives, this collection provides a comprehensive overview of the latest advances and challenges in macrophage polarization research, setting the scene for future macrophage-targeted therapeutic strategies.