Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of apatinib on the invasion ability and mesenchymal-epithelial transition(MET) of colon cancer cell line SW480 and its molecular mechanism. Methods Different doses of apatinib were incubated with the SW480 cells,then the effect of apatinib on the invasion of SW480 cells was detected by Transwell assay,and the expression of MET related proteins were detected by Western blot. Results The cell viability of SW480 was remain the same when the concentration of apatinib was ≤ 120nM,thus 60nM and 120nM apatinib were used in the further experiments.The invasion of SW480 cells was reduced after apatinib incubation for 48h,and the expression of E-cadherin was enhanced,with the depresion of Vimentin，Snail and Slug.Conclusion Apatinib could induce the MET,and reduced the invasion ability of SW480 cells.

Key words: Apatinib, colon cancer, invasion, mesenchymal-epithelial transition