Research Progress on E-cadherin in Breast Cancer Metastasis

Breast cancer, a malignant tumor, poses a significant threat to women's health globally, with metastasis being the primary cause of its high mortality rate. E-cadherin, a crucial cell-cell adhesion molecule, plays a pivotal role in the metastasis of breast cancer. This article aims to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying E-cadherin's involvement in breast cancer metastasis and its potential as a therapeutic target. The inactivation mechanism of E-cadherin in breast cancer is diverse, including gene mutation and loss of heterozygosity, DNA methylation modification, transcriptional level regulation, protein glycosylation modification, and the influence of inflammation and related signaling pathways. These alterations result in the dysfunction of E-cadherin and promote cancer metastasis. The targeted therapy research for E-cadherin has made continuous progress, including strategies such as restoring its expression, stabilizing its structure, utilizing synthetic lethal effects, and intervening in related abnormal pathways.