Objective To study the prospect and feasibility of Twist as a target gene in the treatment for esophageal cancer. Methods The expression of Twist gene in protein levels in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines (TE-1 and Eca-109) was examined using western blot assay. Twist gene was silenced by transfect with lentiviral vector carrying Twist shRNA (Lenti-Twist-shRNA). The proliferation of TE-1 and Eca-109 cells after transfection was evaluated using CCK-8 assay. Animal xenograft tumor models were constructed to evaluate the in vivo effects of Lenti-Twist-shRNA on proliferation of TE-1 and Eca-109 cells. Results The expression of Twist was up-regulated in esophageal cancer tissues and cell lines. After transfect with Lenti-Twist-shRNA, the proliferation of TE-1 and Eca-109 cells in vitro were significantly suppressed. After transfect with Lenti-Twist-shRNA, the growth of xenograft tumors were also significantly suppressed. In addition, Lenti-Twist-shRNA induced apparently apoptosis of TE-1 and Eca-109 cells. Conclusion Twist gene is involved in the growth and apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells and may serve as a potential target in the treatment for esophageal cancer.%目的：探讨Twist基因作为食管癌治疗靶点的可能性。方法采用westernblot方法检测Twist基因在食管癌组织和细胞（TE-1和Eca-109）中的表达；采用携带Twist-shRNA的慢病毒（Lenti-Twist-shRNA）沉默Twist基因表达；采用CCK-8方法检测Twist基因沉默后食管癌细胞的生长状况；采用动物模型检测Twist基因沉默后食管癌荷瘤的生长状况；采用流式细胞仪检测Twist基因沉默后食管癌细胞的凋亡变化。结果 Twist基因在食管癌组织和细胞中表达显著升高；Lenti-Twist-shRNA处理后（即沉默Twist基因后），食管癌细胞的生长受到显著抑制；Lenti-Twist-shRNA处理后，食管癌荷瘤生长速度显著降低；Lenti-Twist-shRNA处理后，食管癌细胞发生显著凋亡。结论 Twist基因参与调控食管癌细胞的生长和凋亡，可以作为食管癌治疗的潜在靶点。
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