A 38-year-old woman has had a biopsy taken from her cervix due to an abnormal Pap smear result. Histological analysis of the biopsy tissue shows grade 3 intraepithelial neoplasia. Additionally, the results demonstrate that the cancerous cells are widely dispersed. Altered expression of which of the following is the most likely cause of the dispersion of the neoplastic cells throughout the biopsy tissue?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Cadherins are cell adhesion molecules, and their altered expression can lead to decreased cell-cell adhesion, allowing cancerous cells to disperse more widely.  The cadherins are a class of calciumdependent cell adhesion proteins that ensure cells within tissues stay bound together. Loss of cell adhesion can lead to cell migration from tissues, characteristic of metastases. One cadherin in particular, E-cadherin, has been shown to play an important role in the metastatic potential of numerous epithelial cancers. Reduced, or loss of, expression of E-cadherin is correlated with high rates of metastasis, especially in prostate cancers. Matrix metalloproteinases are involved in the degradation of the ECM and are also involved in metastases so their inhibition would lead to reduced metastatic capability.

A 38-Year-Old Woman Has Had a Biopsy Taken from Her