To study the effect of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL)on PC-3M cell line, PC-3M cell line was incubated with gradient concentrations of TRAIL for 4-24h. Annixin-Ⅴ fluorescence staining and TUNEL method were employed to detect the apoptosis of PC-3M cells. The morphology of apoptotic PC-3M cells was observed by electron microscopy. The relationship between TRAIL concentrations and the percentage of apoptotic cells was evaluated by flow cytometry. The proliferation inhibitory ratio was calculated by using MTT colorimetry. Our results showed that apoptosis of PC-3M cells could be induced by treatment with TRAIL for at most 4 h. The results of flow cytometry and MTT colorimetry demonstrated a time- and concentration-dependent relationship between cell apoptosis rate and TRAIL concentration. It is concluded that apoptosis of PC-3M cells can be induced by TRAIL. Because of the selective killing effect of TRAIL on tumor ceils, it may become a potential alternative for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer.