Objective To observe the effects of ADAM17 on the invasion of human colon cancer cell lines HT29. Methods The expression of ADAM17 protein was silenced by slow virus transfection. Silencing of ADAM17 was confirmed by real-time PCR and Western blot. Cell migration was measured by wound healing assay. The expression of MMP-9 and ERK was detected by Western blotting. Results The expression of ADAM17 protein in HT29 cells was significantly inhibited through silencing technology (P?0.05). Migration and invasion capability were greatly inhibited with silence of ADAM17 when compared with control group (P?0.05). Silencing ADAM17 induced decreased expression of MMP-9 and p-ERK1/2 compared with control group (P?0.05). No obvious difference in expression level of ERK was identified compared with control group (P?>?0.05). Conclusions ADAM17 may promote cell migration and invasion by inhibiting ERK pathway mediated expression of MMP-9.