VIM and neoplasm: In particular, we sought to determine the phenotype of N-cadherin+/E-cadherin−/vimentin+, as this has been implicated in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) (Tran et al, 1999), a process important in the progression of neoplasia towards dedifferentiation and more ‘malignant’ states (Thiery, 2002).