Loss of E-cadherin expression was more frequently observed in invasive adenocarcinomas than in adenocarcinomas in situ (p=0.034). TGFß1 expression showed a statistically significant correlation with H-cadherin expression (p=0.040), but not with E-cadherin expression (p=0.752). Conclusion: These results suggest that TGFß1 and E-cadherin may play an important role in invasive progression of lung adenocarcinoma through regulating epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.