Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the sensitizing effect of buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and radiation on esophageal cancer cell line TE-1. Methods: Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to observe the inhibition of BSO and radiation on cell proliferation, and to investigate the sensitizing effect of BSO on esophageal cancer cell line TE-1. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to observe the effect of BSO and radiation on cell apoptosis and cycle. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to observe the effect of BSO on manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) mRNA and protein expression. Results: BSO could inhibit the proliferation of TE-1 esophageal cancer cells, and had significant dose- and time-dependent radiosensitizing effects on TE-1 esophageal cancer cells. After the combined effects of BSO and radiation on TE-1 cells, the rate of apoptosis and G2/M phase proportion increased significantly, and MnSOD mRNA and protein expression decreased. Conclusion: BSO may reduce MnSOD mRNAand protein expression by affecting TE-1 cell cycle, thus inhibiting and inducing the apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells and enhancing the killing effect of the radiation on esophageal cancer cells.