Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of CNTN-1 on the invasion and migration of human esophageal cancer EC9706 cells and the possible mechanism. Methods The expression of CNTN-1 in human esophageal cancer EC9706 cells was measured by qPCR and Western blot. After transfection with CNTN-1 siRNA or CNTN-1, the cells were divided into control group, scrambled siRNA group, CNTN-1 siRNA group, pcDNA3.1-vector group and pcDNA3.1-CNTN-1 group. Cell proliferation, invasion and migration were respectively analyzed by BrdU assay and Transwell test. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by qPCR and Western blot. Results The mRNA and protein expression of CNTN-1 were significantly upregulated in EC9706 cells. Compared with control, cell proliferation, invasion and migration, as well as the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were significantly decreased by CNTN-1 siRNA, while they were increased by CNTN-1 overexpression (P<0.05). Conclusions CNTN-1 can influence the invasion and metastasis of esophageal cancer cells through the regulation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.