Axl is a receptor tyrosine kinase belonging to the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases and regulates various functions, including survival, growth, aggregation, migration and anti-inflammation, in multiple cells. In this review, Slava Korshunov provides a summary of the recent advances in Axl receptor biology with an emphasis given to translational aspects of Axl-dependent signalling under pathological conditions, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and immune disorders.