An inverse correlation between S100A4 and members of the cadherin–catenin complex has recently been shown in gastric cancer and NSCLC (Kimura et al, 2000; Yonemura et al, 2000), and S100A4 and E-cadherin have been reported to be inversely regulated in a murine mammary carcinoma cell line (Keirsebilck et al, 1998). Here, CDH17 is linked to gastric cancer.