ObjectiveTo detect the expression of miR-581 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC)tissues and investigate the effect of miR-581 on the proliferation, migration and invasion of K30 cells.MethodsThe expression levels of miR-581 in ESCC tissues and ESCC cells were detected by qPCR.The miR-581 mimic and negative control were transfected into ESCC K30 cells using Lipofectamine 2000.The cell proliferation was determined by CCK8 assay.The effect of miR-581 on the migration and invasion was analyzed by transwell assay.ResultsCompared with the adjacent normal tissues, the expression level of miR-581 was remarkably decreased in the ESCC tissues.After transected with miR-581 mimic, the capability of proliferation, migration and invasion in K30 cells were obviously inhibited.ConclusionmiR-581 may be associated with the development of ESCC while the underlying mechanism needs to be further explored.