Nerve growth factor (NGF), a pleiotropic molecule, can bind to specific tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA and induce a number of biological activities. NGF and TrkA are involved not only in the development of nervous system, but also in the pathogenesis of different types of malignancies. Studies have shown that NGF and its TrkA receptor are closely related to carcinogenesis, proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis of solid tumors. Thus, inhibitors targeting at TrkA may provide a new approach for cancer treatment, and some of them have already been applied in clinical trials. This review summarizes the involvement of NGF-TrkA in tumors and related progress of molecular targeted therapies.