Objective: To investigate the antitumor effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)gene transfection mediated by adenovirus into human pancreatic carcinoma cell line Panc-1, and the mechanisms involved in this effect. Methods: TRAIL gene was transfected into pancreatic cancer cell line Panc-1 by an adenovirus vector (Ad-TRAIL).Level of TRAIL mRNA expression was determined using RT-PCR, and TRAIL protein synthesis was evaluated with Weste blot. Cell-growth activities were determined by MTT assay. The bystander effect was observed by co-culturing the Panc-1cells with the transfected TRAIL gene at different ratios. Apoptosis in pancreatic cancer cells was detected by flow cytometry.Procaspase-8 and procaspase-3 were determined by Weste blot. Results: The stable overexpression of TRAIL was detected in Panc-1 cells transfected by Ad-TRAIL. Ad-TRAIL significantly inhibited of cell viability of Panc-1 cells. Furthermore,co-culture of cancer cells transfected with TRAIL with that nontransfected resulted in the cell death of both cells by bystander effect. Moreover, the percentage of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the Ad-TRAIL-treatment group compared to the control groups (P ＜ 0.01). And there was a diminished amount of procaspase-8 and procaspase-3 after infection with Ad-TRAIL. Conclusion: The overexpression of TRAIL gene in Panc-1 cells by Ad-TRAIL exerts its antitumor effects, and themechanisms involved in this effect may be proapoptosis and bystander effect.