This trick boosts cancer’s spread

From Washington, D.C., at the Experimental Biology 2007 Conference

A molecule on the surface of most cells keeps them tightly stitched together into well-organized tissues. Because such order prevents the cells from growing excessively or leaving the tissue, spreading cancer cells turn off the production of this molecule, called E-cadherin. A new study shows that, contrary to conventional medical wisdom, that shutdown isn’t permanent.