Objective    To investigate the effects of dexamethasone on the growth of cervical cancer induced by HeLa cells transplanted into BALB/c mice.     Methods    HeLa cells were inoculated subcutaneously into BALB/c mice. Dexamethasone (15 mg·kg

-1

·d

-1

) was injected intraperitoneally from the 6th or the 16th day after tumor inoculation for 10 days continuously. Diameter of tumors was measured every two or three days. Apoptotic bodies were observed by transmission electron microscopy and counted by TUNEL.     Results    Dexamethasone repressed the growth of cervical cancer and induced

tumor cell apoptosis

but the tumor volumes were of statistical difference between the two groups of different injection start time (P0.01). The inhibition rate of tumor in mice receiving Dexamethasone early was 94.36%; Obvious apoptotic bodies were observed under EM and the number of apoptotic bodies was more. The inhibition rate of tumor in mice receiving Dexamethasone late was 53.57%; Early apoptosis was observed and the number of apoptotic bodies was less.      Conclusion    Dexamethasone can repress cervical tumor growth and induce tumor cell apoptosis in a time-dependent manner.