Casein kinase 2 (CK2) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that has been considered to represent an important factor in mammary tumorigenesis. Increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase‑9 (MMP‑9) via nuclear factor‑κB (NF‑κB) activation has been demonstrated to promote breast cancer cell invasion. In the present study, the involvement of CK2 in protein kinase C (PKC) induced cell invasion in MCF‑7 breast cancer cells was investigated as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. The mRNA and protein levels of MMP‑9 in MCF‑7 cells were investigated using reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blot analyses and a zymography assay. Cell invasiveness was investigated using a Matrigel invasion assay, and it was revealed that small interfering RNA specific for CK2 suppressed PKC induced cell invasion by regulating MMP‑9 expression via activation of the p38 kinase/c‑Jun N‑terminal kinase/NF‑κB pathway. In addition, it was demonstrated that CK2 inhibitors [apigenin (20 µM), emodin (20 µM) or 2‑dimethylamino‑4,5,6,7‑tetrabromo‑1H‑benzimidazole (2 µM)] suppressed PKC induced cell invasion and MMP‑9 expression. The results of the present study suggested that CK2 is an important factor involved in the induction of MCF‑7 breast cancer cell invasion by PKC. Therefore, CK2 may represent novel candidates for therapy intended to inhibit invasion in breast cancer.