The E-cadherin adhesion molecule and colorectal cancer. A global literature approach.

The E-cadherin-catenin complex plays a crucial role in epithelial cell cell adhesion and in the maintenance of tissue architecture. Down-regulation of E-cadherin expression correlates with a strong invasive potential, resulting in poor prognosis in human carcinomas. Progress has been made in understanding the interaction between the different components of this protein complex and how this cell-cell adhesion complex is modulated in cancer cells. The present study is an update of the role of E-cadherin in human colorectal cancer. It emphasizes new features and the possible role of the complex in clinical practice, discussed in the light of references obtained from the Medline database from 1987 to 2007. In colorectal carcinomas, changes in E-cadherin expression have been correlated with tumour size, histopathology and differentiation, but results are still inconsistent. Further studies may yield greater insight into the early molecular interactions critical to the interaction between adhesion molecules and tumour initiation and progression. This should aid the development of novel strategies for both prevention and treatment of cancer.