Abstract: Heparanase is the only endo- β - D- glucuronidase which, found in mammalian cells now,can cleave the heparan sulfate (HS), a side chain linking to heparin sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) in extracellular matrix. It plays important roles in the invasion and metastasis of tumors. In this review, research on the characteristics of molecular structure, regulation of the expression and their roles in the invasion and metastasis of gastric carcinoma were summarized.