Abstract: DEK protein is an abundant chromatin protein in metazoans with highly conserved nuclear factor. This protein is a unique member of its family and is preferentially expressed in actively proliferating and malignant cells. Recently, much attention has been paid to the role of DEK protein in the development of various cancers, which was originally discovered in a subset of acute my-elogenous leukemia. Oncogene DEK is overexpressed in several malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma, glioblastoma, retino -blastoma, bladder cancer, malignant melanoma, and cervical cancer. Oncogene DEK is a chromatin remodeling protein that supports cancer cell proliferation and invasion. In this review, we summarized research advancements in the correlation between DEK protein and oncogenesis.