OBJECTIVE Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) expression is closely related to the progression and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer patients. In this study, we investigated the effects on proliferation and migration of the human colon carcinoma cell line SW620 by silencing HGF expression. METHODS HGF was silenced using specifi c HGF α/β siRNA.The proliferation, migration, cell cycle and ultrastructure of SW620 cells were examined. RESULTS The transfection efficiency was 70%–80%. The expression rate of HGF in the experimental group was signifi cantly lower than that in the negative and blank control groups (P <0.05). The proliferation inhibition rate in the experimental group at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after transfection was 14.2%, 50.2%, 39.5% and 23.2%, respectively. The migratory ability of cells in the experimental group was significantly inhibited compared with that in the negative control or blank control groups (58.2% vs. 2.1% or 0%, P < 0.05).CONCLUSION The application of RNA interference to silence the expression of HGF in the colon carcinoma cell line SW620 effectively inhibits the proliferation and migration of tumor cells.