Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for modulating the migratory, invasive and metastatic properties of cells expressing N-cadherin for the treatment of proliferative disorders including, but not limited to, cancers such as melanomas, breast, and prostate cancer. The invention further relates to drug screening assays designed to identify compounds that modulate N-cadherin activity and the use of such compounds in the treatment of disorders involving N-cadherin modulated cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. The invention also relates to methods for diagnosis and prognosis of disorders such as cancer that rely on detection of N-cadherin expression levels. The invention is based on the discovery that N-cadherin expression increases the migratory, invasive and metastatic properties of cells. It is additionally based on the discovery that increased N-cadherin expression sensitizes cells to growth factors such as FGF-2 and increases matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) accumulation.