To explore the mechanism of chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)/chemotactic factor 12(CXCL12) signaling pathway in invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous carcinoma so as to provide theoretical basis for CXCR4 as a new target in tumor treatment.

Esophageal squamous carcinoma EC9706 cells in logarithmic phase were treated with CXCL12, and the invasion, migration and adhesion capabilities of EC9706 cells were assessed by the assays of cell adhesion and transwell chamber. RT-PCR and Western Blot were performed to determine the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR) mRNA and protein.

The capabilities of invasion, migration and adhesion of EC9706 cells increased with the concentrations of CXCL12(5, 10 μg/ml) in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.01), and were significantly higher than those of blank controls(P<0.01). The expression of EGFR mRNA and protein in EC9706 cells increased with the concentrations of CXCL12 in a dose-dependent manner(P<0.01), and was significantly higher than that of controls(P<0.01).

CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling pathway is related to tumor invasion and metastasis, which exhibits a dose-dependent relationship. CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling pathway may participate in the invasion and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via regulating the expression of EGFR.