Abstract: High-mobility group Box-1(HMGB1) is a non-histone nuclear protein and a member of damageassociated molecular pattern molecules(DAMPs). High expression of HMGB1 in tumor tissues could increase cell proliferation, invasion and migration, and then improve the tumorigenesis; on the contrary, studies also indicated that high level of HMGB1 could inhibit tumorigenesis in the way of inducing tumor cell apoptosis and enhancing the immunoreaction. These insights imply that HMGB1 plays a “double-edged sword” role in the tumorigenesis, which is highly related to the location and post-translational modification of HMGB1. In this article, we will review the basic characteristics, post-translational modification, location and function of HMGB1 and the research advances of HMGB1 in many tumors.