Objective: To investigate NDRG1 expression and its relation with MMP-7 in pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: The protein and mRNA expressions of NDRG1 and MMP-7 in 4 different pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1, BXPC-3, CAPAN-2 and SW1990) were determined. The interference plasmids siNDRG1 were transfected into PANC-1 cells after their construction, and then the protein and mRNA expressions of NDRG1 and MMP-7, cell proliferation and apoptosis after transfection were determined. Results: All the 4 cell lines presented either the protein or mRNA expressions of both NDRG1 and MMP-7, and their expression levels were increased with decrease of the degree of cell differentiation (all P<0.05). In PANC-1 after siNDRG1 trasfection, the protein and mRNA expressions of both NDRG1 and MMP-7 were reduced, proliferation was suppressed, and apoptosis rate was increased significantly (all P<0.05). Conclusion: NDRG1 expression is closely related to the degree of differentiation of pancreatic cancer cells, and may probably promote cell growth through up-regulating MMP-7 expression.