AXL is a receptor tyrosine kinase belonging to the TAM family that functions as a critical regulator of immune responses, viral infection, and cancer progression. Mechanistically, AXL binds ligands GAS6 and Protein S to activate downstream signaling through PI3K and RAC1, triggering actin remodeling, macropinocytosis, and cellular invasion 1. In viral infections, AXL promotes Zika virus entry in glial cells and astrocytes 23, though ZIKV subsequently downregulates AXL expression via autophagy to sustain persistent infection 4. In cancer, AXL overexpression drives proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, metastasis, and acquired drug resistance 56. AXL signaling on macrophages promotes M2-like polarization and efferocytosis, skewing the tumor microenvironment toward immunosuppression 7. In pulmonary fibrosis, AXL expression in monocytes drives pathogenic M2 macrophage differentiation, and AXL inhibition ameliorates disease progression 8. In rheumatoid arthritis, AXL expression inversely correlates with pro-inflammatory markers and is modulated by IL-6 inhibition 9. Clinically, AXL represents a promising therapeutic target through small-molecule kinase inhibitors, monoclonal antibodies, and antibody-drug conjugates in cancer and fibrotic diseases 5106.