What roles do E-cadherin and Vimentin play in breast cancer treatment resistance?

E-cadherin and Vimentin are proteins involved in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). E-cadherin helps cells stick together, and its reduction contributes to cancer cells detaching and migrating. Vimentin is associated with mobile and invasive cells; increased expression is a hallmark of EMT, making cancer cells more resistant to treatment and prone to spreading. Their expressions are potential indicators of resistance to preoperative systemic therapy in advanced breast cancer, offering personalized treatment strategies.

How does the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) relate to E-cadherin and Vimentin, and why is it important in understanding breast cancer?

The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a process where cancer cells transform, becoming more resistant to treatment. E-cadherin and Vimentin are key players in EMT. During EMT, E-cadherin expression decreases, allowing cells to detach, while Vimentin expression increases, making cells more mobile and invasive. Understanding EMT and the expressions of E-cadherin and Vimentin helps predict treatment response and personalize care, especially in advanced breast cancer.

What are the implications of using E-cadherin and Vimentin as predictors of treatment resistance in advanced breast cancer?

Using E-cadherin and Vimentin as predictors allows clinicians to identify patients unlikely to respond to standard treatments and tailor their approach. This personalized strategy could involve alternative or more aggressive treatments from the outset. While further research is needed, it represents a significant step toward more effective and targeted treatments, improving outcomes and quality of life. The study of E-cadherin and Vimentin does not cover any genomic markers that may contribute to cancer resistence.

Vimentin is associated with cancer stemness, can you explain this in detail?

Vimentin, as a marker of mesenchymal cells, relates to cancer stemness through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT promotes the acquisition of stem cell-like properties in cancer cells, making them more capable of self-renewal and tumor initiation. Vimentin expression increases during EMT, indicating that cancer cells are transitioning into a state where they can act like stem cells, contributing to treatment resistance and the ability to form new tumors. Without Vimentin, cancer cells may be less resistant to traditional treatments.

Intertwined E-cadherin and Vimentin proteins representing cellular resistance in breast cancer.

Decoding Breast Cancer Resistance: Can E-cadherin and Vimentin Predict Treatment Success?

Q: What is E-cadherin, and how does its presence or absence affect breast cancer cells?

E-cadherin is a protein that helps cells adhere, maintaining tissue structure. In normal breast tissue, E-cadherin is abundant, but in many cancers, its expression is reduced or lost. This loss contributes to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), causing cancer cells to detach, migrate, and invade surrounding tissues. Therefore, the absence of E-cadherin is associated with increased invasiveness and metastasis.

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research spotlights E-cadherin and Vimentin as potential indicators of resistance to preoperative systemic therapy in advanced breast cancer patients, offering a beacon of hope for personalized treatment strategies."

Breast cancer remains a significant health challenge for women worldwide. Despite advancements in treatment, resistance to therapy continues to be a major obstacle, especially in advanced stages. The ability to predict which patients will respond to treatment is critical for tailoring personalized therapeutic strategies and improving outcomes.

A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation sheds light on this critical area by exploring the roles of two proteins, E-cadherin and Vimentin, in predicting resistance to preoperative systemic therapy in patients with advanced breast cancer. This research offers a promising avenue for identifying patients who may require alternative or more aggressive treatment approaches from the outset.

The study focuses on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process where cancer cells transform and become more resistant to treatment. By understanding the expressions of E-cadherin and Vimentin, which are key players in EMT, researchers hope to better predict treatment response and personalize care for those battling advanced breast cancer.

E-cadherin and Vimentin: What are they and why do they matter in breast cancer?

Intertwined E-cadherin and Vimentin proteins representing cellular resistance in breast cancer.

E-cadherin is a protein that helps cells stick together, maintaining the structure and integrity of tissues. In normal breast tissue, E-cadherin is abundant, ensuring cells remain connected and function properly. However, in many cancers, including breast cancer, the expression of E-cadherin is reduced or lost. This loss contributes to the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), allowing cancer cells to detach, migrate, and invade surrounding tissues.

Vimentin, on the other hand, is a protein associated with mesenchymal cells, which are more mobile and invasive. In cancer, increased Vimentin expression is a hallmark of EMT. When cancer cells transition from an epithelial to a mesenchymal state, they gain the ability to spread and resist treatment. This makes Vimentin a significant marker for identifying aggressive cancers.

Here's how E-cadherin and Vimentin expressions are responsible for resistence:

Treatment Resistance: Cancer cells undergoing EMT become more resistant to chemotherapy and other systemic therapies.
Metastasis: The ability of cancer cells to detach and migrate increases the risk of metastasis, or the spread of cancer to distant organs.
Cancer Stemness: EMT promotes the acquisition of stem cell-like properties, making cancer cells more capable of self-renewal and tumor initiation.

Understanding the balance between E-cadherin and Vimentin expression can provide valuable insights into the behavior of breast cancer cells and their response to treatment. By identifying these markers, healthcare providers can make more informed decisions about treatment strategies.

The Future of Personalized Breast Cancer Therapy

The study suggests that E-cadherin and Vimentin can be used as predictors of resistance to preoperative systemic therapy in patients with advanced breast cancer. By assessing the expression levels of these proteins, clinicians can better identify patients who are unlikely to respond to standard treatments and tailor their approach accordingly. While further research is needed to validate these findings and explore their clinical applications, this study represents a significant step forward in the quest for personalized breast cancer therapy. Understanding the unique characteristics of each patient's cancer at a molecular level will pave the way for more effective and targeted treatments, ultimately improving outcomes and quality of life for those affected by this disease.