Introduction: The E-cadherin gene is associated with poor prognosis and metastasis in patients with breast cancer, and methylation of its promoter is correlated with decreased gene expression. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential role of E-cadherin promoter methylation in breast cancer.
 
Materials & Methods: In this case-control study, 40 breast cancer patients and 40 healthy women were examined. DNA was extracted, and for gene promoter methylation and IL-17 gene polymorphism, MSPCR and PCR-RFLP methods were used, respectively. Data were compared in both groups by using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, Chi-square test, and Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test.
 
Finding: We found a relationship between E-cadherin gene promoter methylation and breast cancer, such that the promoter of E-cadherin gene was significantly more methylated in patients compared to normal individuals (P<0.05).
 
Discussion & Conclusions: It seems that increased E-cadherin gene promoter methylation in patients is associated with the risk of breast cancer.