ObjectiveTo investigate relationship between galectin-1 (Gal-1) and invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer.MethodThe related literatures on the relationship between the Gal-1 and the invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer in recent years were reviewed.ResultsThe expression of Gal-1 in the gastric cancer tissue was closely related to the invasion, metastasis ability, immunosuppression, and angiogenesis of tumor cells, and played the important role in the progression and evolution of the gastric cancer. The expression of Gal-1 was higher, the malignancy of the tumor was higher, and the prognosis of the patient was worse.ConclusionExpression of Gal-1 can promote invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer, but further clinical trials need to be verified.