Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a multifunctional secretory cytokine that plays a role in different tumor tissues and cells through janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. LIF is highly expressed in colo-rectal cancer, breast cancer, malignant melanoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and other malignant tumors. High expression of LIF can promote the development of cancer, increase the ability of tumor invasion and migration, reduce the sensitivity of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and lead to poor prognosis. Blocking the LIF signaling pathway can inhibit tumor progression, and LIF is expected to become a new target for tumor therapy.