Abstract: Objective : To study the mRNA expression of the CCN family members CYR61 (cysteine-rich61) andNOV (nephroblastoma overexpressed genes) in gastric cancer and the relationship between their expressionand the occurrence, development and prognosis of gastric cancer. Methods : A tissue microarray (TMA) wasprepared and c-RNA probes were synthesized. In situ hybridization (ISH) was then performed on TMA chipsto examine the expression of CYR61 and NOV mRNA in 25 samples of normal gastric mucosa and 100 gastric carcinoma specimens. Results : The expression rates of CYR61 mRNA in normal gastric mucosa tissueand gastric cancer tissue were 4% and 37%, respectively, with a statistical significance (P=0.001). The expression rate of NOV mRNA was 64% in normal tissues and 52% in tumor tissues, with no significant difference(P=0.244). CYR61 mRNA expression level was increased in the cases with a larger tumor diameter (r=0.318,P=0.001), higher invasion depth r=0.235, P=0.014), more advanced TNM stage (r=0.331, P=0.007), lymphaticmetastasis (r=0.285, P=0.004) and vessel metastasis (r=0.292, P=0.004). However, there was no relationshipbetween CYR61 mRNA expression and the differentiation of gastric cancer (r=0.037, P=0.709). The mean survival time and 5-year survival rate in cases with positive CYR61 mRNA expression were significantly lowerthan those seen in cases with negative CYR61 mRNA expression (P=0.000). The prognosis of the cases withpositive CYR61 mRNA expression was poor. In contrast, NOV mRNA expression level was decreased remarkably in the cases with higher invasion depth (r=-0.262, P=0.009) and lower differentiation grade (r=-0.244, P=0.015). However, there was no significant relationship between NOV mRNA expression and tumor diameter(r=-0.050, P=0.619), TNM stage (r=-0.080, P=0.317), lymphatic metastasis (r=-0.120, P=0.232), vessel metastasis (r=-0.062, P=0.537) or survival time (P=0.052). NOV could not act as an indicator of gastric cancer prognosis. Conclusion : CYR61 appears to be a promoter of the growth, invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer,while NOV may act as an inhibitor.