Cell-cell adhesion strength was also clearly compromised in P-cadherin overexpressing cells, as demonstrated by atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements (Fig. 1h), as well as a significant increase in the protrusive and invasive behavior (Fig. 1i-k and Additional file 1: Figure S1C) of breast cancer cells was promoted, by the evaluation of 3D spheroids embedded in collagen type I matrix by time-lapse microscopy. This evidence concerns the gene CDH3 and breast carcinoma.