E-cadherin as a tumor (invasion) suppressor gene.

Abstract

Diffuse-type gastric carcinomas show diminished cell-cell adhesion. A recent paper reports that 50% of these carcinomas contain mutations in the E-cadherin gene, resulting in the destruction of the calcium-binding sites of E-cadherin, and providing strong in vivo evidence that alterations in E-cadherin play a major role in the development of this particular type of cancer and the short survival of the patients.