Downregulation of E-cadherin expression in breast cancer by promoter hypermethylation and its relation with progression and prognosis of tumor.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women around the world, and novel prognosis strategies is needed to control more accurate and effective of this malignant disease. Among the latest prognostic markers is E-cadherin, which mediates cell-cell adhesion by associating with catenins. Loss of E-cadherin gene (CDH1) function by genetic or epigenetic alteration leads to tumorigenesis.