Abstract: Objective To investigate the expression of the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) in squamous carcinoma of cervix and the effect of Intra-arterial influsion chemotherapy on XIAP. Methods Samples from 30 normal cervical tissues and 50 cervical squamous carcinoma tissues before and after Intra-arterial influsion chemotherapy were collected. The expression of XIAP was detected in these samples by SP immuno-histochemical technique. Apoptosis index(AI) was detected by DNA in situ terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL). Results The XIAP expression in squamous carcinoma of cervix was significantly higher than that in normal cervical tissue (P<0.05). Samples with well-differentiated tumor had lower XIAP expression than poorly differentiated one(P<0.05).It was also coincident increased with squarmous cell carcinoma staging or degree of malignancy. Patients after the treatment by IAIC had lower expression of XIAP than the one before IAIC treatment (P<0.05). Conclusion Abnormal expression of XIAP may contribute to the pathogenesis and development of the squamous carcinoma of cervix.It suggested that apoptosis induced by intra-arterial influsion chemotherapy may mediated by the downregulation of XIAP in cervical squamous cell carcinoma.