Objective To investigate the effects of verteporfin on the proliferation, invasion and migration of human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and the underlying mechanism. Methods MDA-MB-231 cells in the logarithmic growth phase were randomly divided into control group and verteporfin treatment group. After MDA-MB-231 cells were treated with (0, 4, 8, 12, 16) μmol/mL verteporfin, the minimal inhibitory concentration was determined by CCK-8 assay. After treatment with 4 μmol/mL verteporfin, the invasion and migration abilities of MDA-MB-231 cells were detected by TranswellTM invasion assay and scratch wound healing assay, respectively. The expression levels of proliferation-associated proteins c-MYC, cyclin D1, Yes-associated protein (YAP), cysteine-rich protein 61 (CYR61) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in MDA-MB-231 cells treated by (0, 4, 8, 12, 16) μmol/mL verteporfin were determined by Western blotting. Results Verteporfin markedly inhibited the proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner, and the minimal inhibitory concentration was 4 μmol/mL. The 4 μmol/mL verteporfin significantly inhibited the invasion and migration abilities of MDA-MB-231 cells. Verteporfin inhibited significantly the expressions of c-MYC, cyclin D1, YAP, CYR61 and CTGF. Conclusion Verteporfin significantly inhibits the proliferation, invasion and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells by down-regulating the expressions of YAP and its target genes CYR61 and CTGF.