Abstract: Myeloid cell leukemia-1 (MCL-1) protein is one of the key antiapoptotic protein members of the B-cell lymphoma-2 protein family. Overexpression of MCL-1 is closely related to not only tumor progression but also resistance to targeted therapy and traditional chemotherapeutic drug. MCL-1 and its inhibitors have been studied in recent years. The mimetics of MCL-1 endogenous ligand BH3 have resulted in significant breakthroughs. In this study, the research progress on MCL-1 and its inhibitors in hematological malignancies is reviewed.