Changes in ??-catenin levels, associations, and/or distribution, e.g., nuclear accumulation may result from mutations in ??-catenin, APC, axin or other proteins involved in the trafficking of ??-catenin. ??-catenin accumulation, levels and/or distribution may also be affected by changes in the wnt/fzd signaling pathway. ??-catenin accumulation in the nucleus may lead to the transcription of genes