Objective To investigate the effects and underlying mechanisms of human pituitary tumor-transforming gene 1 (hPTTG1) small interfering RNA (siRNA) on apoptosis of ovarian cancer cell line A2780. Methods hPTTG1 siRNA was transfected into A2780 with lipofectamine (the hPTTG1 siRNA group), and the normal group and the negative control group were set up. Detections were conducted 48 hours after transfection: the interfering efficiency of hPTTG1 mRNA was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction, the expression of survivin gene and survivin protein was examined by semiquantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, cell apoptosis was detected by DNA fragmentation gel electrophoresis and propidium iodide staining kit, and the activity of caspase-3 was assayed by caspases colorimetric assay kit. Results The expression of hPTTG1 mRNA was expressly inhibited after hPTTG1 siRNA transfection. DNA ladder was observed in the hPTTG1 siRNA group. The apoptotic rate of hPTTG1 siRNA transfection in the hPTTG1 siRNA group was (17.53±2.17)%, higher than those in the normal group and the negative control group [(8.97±1.56)% and (9.64±1.31)%, respectively], with statistically significant differences between them (P<0.05). The expression levels of survivin mRNA and survivin protein were down-regulated. The activity of caspase-3 was raised. Conclusions siRNA targeting hPTTG1 could induce apoptosis of A2780 by inhibition of survivin expression and activation of caspase-3. It may be a potential target for gene therapy of ovarian cancer.