Abstract: Objective To study the role of hsp27 gene in the proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)，and further explore the underlying mechanism. Methods The transcription levels of hsp27 in NP460(normal nasopharyngeal epithelial cell lines)，CNE2 (low differentiated NPC cell line) and S18 (highly migratory subclone of CNE2) cell lines were determined by Real Time PCR.Over-expression of hsp27 in CNE2 cells (with low endogenous hsp27 level) was performed by lentivirus infection，and small interference RNA technique was employed to decrease hsp27 in S18 cells (with high endogenous hsp27 level).Then MTT experiment was used to evaluate the proliferation of the hsp27-overexpressed and -inhibited cells.The transcription level of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was measured as well. Results (1) the endogenous hsp27 level of three cell lines showed significant difference and the order was S18>CNE2>NP460.(2) The proliferation and NF-κB level of CNE2 cells was significantly upregulated with hsp27 over-expression.(3) The growth rate of S18 slowed significantly concurrent with down-regulation of NF-κB after inhibition of hsp27. Conclusion hsp27 plays an important role in the proliferation of NPC cells which may mediates by NF-κB signal pathway.The hsp27 gene would be a potential molecular target for anti-NPC therapy.