Objective: The interaction of cancer cell with extracellular matrix (ECM) happens as an earlier and specific event in the invasive and metastatic cascade. To explore the key element(s) in cancer metastasis and observe the cell-ECM interaction and its role. Methods:To interrupt the cell-ECM interaction by suppression of adhesion-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation with protein tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein in B16-B16mouse melanoma cells. Results: When B16-BL6 cells attached to Matrigel, a solubilized basement membrane preparation from EHS sarcoma, a 125 kDa protein increased its phosphotyrosine content dramatically. In contrast, when the cells were pretreated with 20μM or 30μM genistein for 3 days, it was revealed a less increase in the phosphotyrosine content of this 125 kDa protein inresponse to cell attachment to ECM was revealed with immunoblot analysis. Accompanied by the lower level of adhesion-induced protein tyrosine phosphorylation the genistein-treated cells exhibited a decrease in their capabilities of adhesion to Matrigel and invasion through reconstituted basement membrane. The potentials of and forming lung metastatic nodules were also shown to be decreased dramatically in these genistein-treated cells.Conclusion: It was suggested that protein tyrosine phosphorylation in cell-ECM interaction might be associated with invasive and metastatic potentials in cancer cells.