The cadherins are a large family of cell adhesion molecules involved in calcium-dependent recognition and adhesion events. The cadherin subfamily includes N-, P-, B-, and E- cadherins, and other members. Recent studies indicate that cancer cells have up-regulated N-cadherin in addition to loss of E-cadherin. This change in cadherin expression is called the "cadherin switch". N-cadherin cooperates with the FGF receptor, leading to overexpression of MMP-9 and cellular invasion.