CDH1 and neoplasm: Loss of E-cadherin is found in the progression of tumor malignancy of most epithelial tumors.70 Down-regulation of E-cadherin occurs via various mechanisms: genetic or epigenetic mechanism, transcriptional suppression, proteolytic degradation, and modulation of several RTKs.71 Beta-catenin, while being an important protein for cell-cell adhesion, also serves as an oncogenic protein.