E-Cadherin (EP6), RMab

Summary and Explanation

Cadherins are a class of transmembrane proteins. They play an important role in cell adhesion by ensuring cells within tissues are bound together. E-Cadherin is an adhesion protein that is expressed in cells of epithelial lineage. It stains positively in glandular epithelium as well as Adenocarcinomas of the lung and G.I. tract, and ovary. E-Cadherin has been useful in distinguishing Adenocarcinoma from Mesothelioma. It has also been shown to be positive in some Thyroid Carcinomas. It can be used to differentiate Ductal Carcinomas (positive for E-Cadherin) from Lobular Breast Carcinomas.

Loss of E-Cadherin antibody expression has been implicated in cancer progression and metastasis. E-Cadherin downregulation decreases the strength of cellular adhesion within a tissue, resulting in an increase in cellular motility. This may then allow cancer cells to cross the basement membrane and invade surrounding tissues. Loss of E-Cadherin expression has been suggested as a poor prognostic sign in Breast Carcinoma and Non-Small Cell Lung Carcinomas.