Long non⁃coding RNA（lncRNA）is a kind of non⁃coding transcripts longer than 200nt. Abnormal expression of lncRNAs is associated with various types of tumors. MALAT1，one of the first lncRNAs to be discov⁃ ered，can regulate the proliferation，apoptosis，metastasis and invasion of tumor cells through different pathways and affect the progression of tumors. The present study reviews the current status of MALAT1 in many kinds of tumors，and provides a novel perspective on the diagnosis and treatment of tumors.