Abstract: NKILA is a kind of newly-discovered lncRNA whose expression is aberrant in diverse malignant tumors. The existing researches have confirmed that NKILA participates in the occurrence and development of tumors mainly by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway, and has significance to the cancer diagnosis, treatment and prognostic evaluation of patients. This article reviews the abnormal expressions and biological effects of NKILA, and the up- and down-stream mechanisms of NKILA regulating malignant biological behavior in different cancers.