Abstract: ［Abstract］ 0bjective To explore the influence of TNF-α on the expression of MMPs and the ability of invasion and metastasis of oral cancer cells. Methods With RT-PCR assay , Western blot，the expression of MMPs on mRNA and protein were detected respectively before and after stimulation of TNF-α. Transwell invasion assay was applied to detect the change of invasion and metastasis ability of oral cancer cells before and after the experiment. Results mRNA level of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14 on oral cancer cells was significantly higher 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after stimulation of TNF-α respectively. The protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-14 was in accordance with mRNA level after 48 h. And the ability of invasion and metastasis has obviously enhanced after the stimulation of TNF-α. Conclusions TNF-α may promote the invasion and metastasis of oral cancer cells by up-regulating the expression of MMPs.