Abstract: Objective 　To study the expression and significance of TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand), Caspase-3 and NF-κB in colorectal carcinoma and investigate the effect of Caspase-3 and NF-κB on the anti-tumor activity of TRAIL. Methods 　SP immunohistochemical technique was used to examine the expression of TRAIL, Caspase-3 and NF-κB in 42 cases of colorectal carcinoma and the surrounding tissues of 5cm distance and 25 cases of normal colorectal mucosa. Results 　The expression of TRAIL and Caspase-3 was increased from colorectal carcinoma, surrounding tissues to normal colorectal mucosa while NF-κB was opposite ( P < 0. 05) . The expression of TRAIL and Caspase-3 was lower in moderate and poor differentiation degree than those in high differentiation degree, while NF-κB was opposite ( P <0. 05) . The expression of TRAIL was significant correlated to those of NF-κB and Caspase-3 ( P < 0. 05) . Conclusion 　TRAIL, Caspase-3 and NF-κB may be closely correlated to the occurrence and the development of colorectal carcinoma. Depress the expression of NF-κB and inspire the expression of Caspase-3 may promote the sensitivity of anti-tumor effect of TRAIL.