To evaluate the effects of TRAIL-modified dendritic cells on apoptosis of melanoma cells, we transferred dendritic cells with Ad-TRAIL. Expression of TRAIL could be detected by flow cytometry. DC-TRAIL was cultured with melanoma cells. The cell growth was observed under microscope and the apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. The subcutaneous xenograft model of mouse melanoma cells was established and treated respectively with DC-TRAIL, DC and PBS. Tumor volume was measured. We found that Ad-TRAIL could effectively transfer DC. DC overexpressing TRAIL showed potent cyto-toxicity against melanoma cells through the induction of apoptosis. The growth of xenograft tumor of melanoma cells in Ad-TRAIL group was significantly inhibited compared with that in DC and PBS groups. In conclusion, DC modified by Ad-TRAIL can inhibit proliferation of melanoma cells in vitro and vivo. It might be used for gene therapy of melanoma cells.