Given the consistent expression of E- and N-cadherin in immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence microscopy in normal hepatocytes, HCA and HCC, a direct role in classic EMT, which describes downregulation of E-cadherin as well as de novo expression of N-cadherin during carcinogenesis, tumor invasion, and metastasis, does not hold true for HCC. The gene discussed is CDH2; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.