ObjectiveTo study the role of survivin gene in the research work of tumor. MethodsLiteratures about the molecular structure, function, mechanism,distribution of survivin gene and its role in the treatment of tumor were reviewed.ResultsSurvivin was a new member of inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, expressed in almost all the human tumors independent to the expression of bcl2. The expression of survivin was significantly correlated with the poor prognosis of tumor patients. Survivin inhibited the apoptosis of tumor cells via inhibiting the activity of caspase3, the effector molecule of the apoptosis signal transduction pathway. Inhibition of the expression of survivin gene could block its effect of inhibiting apoptosis and consequently get a therapeutic effect of tumors.ConclusionSurvivin is commonly expressed in human tumor tissues. It can be identified as an important prognostic parameter of poor outcome and a new therapeutic target in cancer.