E-cadherin is a Ca²⁺-dependent cell adhesion molecule. It plays an important role in the growth and development of cells via the mechanisms of control of tissue architecture and the maintenance of tissue integrity. Most tumours have an abnormal architecture and the loss of tissue integrity is thought to be an important step in the development of local invasion. E-cadherin may be important in neoplastic progression, particularly as a suppressor of invasion. In prostate cancers, for example, the immunohistochemical detection of E-cadherin is reduced or absent in comparison with its expression in normal prostate which is uniformly strong.The reduced or absent expression of E-cadherin in addition to alpha, beta and gamma-catenin in primary breast carcinomas has been reported and these four proteins are associated with the development of metastases. Re-expression of E-cadherin, alpha and beta-catenin is known to occur in metastatic lesions from patients whose primary breast tumours were negative although the reason for this is not entirely clear. The E-cadherin antibody will prove to be of further interest in studies of primary tumours and metastatic lesions.detection of E-cadherin is reduced or absent in comparison with its expression in normal prostate which is uniformly strong.The reduced or absent expression of E-cadherin in addition to alpha, beta and gamma-catenin in primary breast carcinomas has been reported and these four proteins are associated with the development of metastases. Re-expression of E-cadherin, alpha and beta-catenin is known to occur in metastatic lesions from patients whose primary breast tumours were negative although the reason for this is not entirely clear. The E-cadherin antibody will prove to be of further interest in studies of primary tumours and metastatic lesions.