CDH1 and cancer: In the osteogenic niche, the bone matrix increases cancer cell proliferation in an integrin-dependent manner105,106; osteoblasts and mature osteocytes transfer cancer cell growth advantages via direct connections or release of cytokines.107–109 Heterotypic adherens junctions (hAJs) involving cancer-derived E-cadherin and osteogenic N-cadherin102 and GJs transferring Ca2+ flow from osteogenic cells to cancer cells104 drive the formation of micrometastases in bone from DTCs.