ObjectiveTo understand the research status and future directions of circular RNA (circRNA) in pancreatic cancer, and to provide references for its further research.MethodThe recent literatures on studies of the role of circRNA in the pancreatic cancer were reviewed.ResultsThe retsults of high-throughput sequencing had shown that large amounts of circRNA expressed abnormally in the pancreatic cancer tissues and pancreatic cancer cell lines, and they participated in the occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer, drug resistance, autophagy, and immune escape by regulating downstream target molecules such as microRNA or RNA-binding protein.ConclusionCertain circRNAs with important function are expected to become biomarkers for early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and molecular targets for treatment, so as to achieve goals of early diagnosis and targeted therapy of pancreatic cancer.