In the context of cancer, cadherins are often dysregulated, contributing to tumor progression and metastasis. The most well-studied cadherin in cancer is E-cadherin. Its loss or dysfunction is frequently associated with increased invasiveness and poor prognosis in various cancers. This phenomenon is part of the process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), where epithelial cells lose their adhesiveness and gain migratory properties.
