Abstract

The loss of the intercellular adhesion molecule E-cadherin is a hallmark of the epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT), during which tumor cells transition into an invasive phenotype. Accordingly, E-cadherin has long been considered a tumor suppressor gene. Using novel multi-compartment spheroids and multiple in vivo models, we show that E-cadherin promotes a hyper-proliferative phenotype in breast cancer cells via interaction with the transmembrane receptor EGFR. This interaction results in the activation of the MEK/ERK signaling pathway, leading to a significant increase in proliferation via the activation of transcription factors including c-Fos. Pharmacological inhibition of MEK activity in E-cadherin positive breast cancer cells significantly decreases both tumor growth and macro-metastasis in vivo. This work provides evidence for a novel role of E-cadherin in breast tumor growth and identifies a potential new target to treat hyper-proliferative E-cadherin-positive breast tumors.