CD44 and cancer: N-cadherin,a member of the calcium-dependent adhesion molecule family of cadherins,plays a critical role in homotypic and heterotypic cell–cellinteractions,43 while β-catenin isinvolved in intercellular adhesion.44 CD44,a cell surface adhesion receptor (transmembrane glycoprotein), ishighly expressed in many cancer cells.45 Neuroplastin, a transmembrane protein of the immunoglobulin superfamily,belongs to a cell-adhesion molecule family.46