ObjectiveTo understand the function of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) colon cancer associated transcript-1 (CCAT1) and summarize its relationship with gastric cancer.MethodThe published literatures on the studies of lncRNA CCAT1 function and its relationship with gastric cancer were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsThe lncRNA CCAT1 exerted the negative regulation on the genes by binding to microRNAs (miR) as a competitive endogenous RNA, mediating chromatin circulation between the c-MYC promoter and its upstream enhancer, and promoted the expression of c-MYC gene. The recent studies had found that the CCAT1 could bind to the miR-219-1 and miR-490, thereby promoting the progress of gastric cancer. The expression of lncRNA CCAT1 in the gastric cancer tissues increased, which was obviously different from that in the paracancer tissues and normal tissues. The high expression of lncRNA CCAT1 was related to the tumor size, lymphatic metastasis and TNM stage.ConclusionsThe specific mechanism, intracellular signal transduction pathway and interaction mechanism between CCAT1 and other molecules involved in the progress of gastric cancer still need to be further explored. With the in-depth study of lncRNA, especially CCAT1, it may provide a broader prospect for the diagnosis and treatment of gastric cancer as a target of CCAT1.