MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a family of small non-coding RNA molecules 22-25 nucleotides in length. miRNAs control the expression of target genes at the post-transcriptional level by inhibiting translation or by degrading target mRNA through binding to complementary sequences in the 3′-untranslated regions. Recent studies have demonstrated that miRNAs are intimately involved in processes leading to nasopharyngeal carcinoma, such as the Epstein-Barr virus-encoded latent membrane protein 1 activated signal transduction pathways, gene-regulatory networks, mitosis, tumor angiogenesis, invasion and migration. Exploring the relationship between miRNAs and the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, will further the understanding of this cancer and provide new avenues for diagnosis and treatment. . Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head and neck epithelial malignancy that occurs frequently in Southern China [2]. It is characterized by high invasiveness and metastasis, and involves Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection and numerous genetic factors [3]. In this review, we focus on recent studies [4] that have described miRNA involvement in the carcinogenesis of NPC.1 miRNA biogenesis, regulatory mechanisms and biological functions 1.1 miRNA biogenesis and regulatory mechanisms miRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules of about *Corresponding author (email: Lqz2010@hotmail.com; xiaoqing1213@sina.com) 22-25 nucleotides in length. miRNA genes are first transcribed by RNA polymerase II, to produce molecules hundreds of nucleotides in length, called pri-miRNAs. Then, Drosha, an RNA polymerase III, processes pri-miRNAs into stem-loop structures, 60-70 nucleotides in length, called pre-miRNAs. The transportation protein, Exportin-5, identifies and combines with the 3′-end of pre-miRNAs and, in a Ran-GTP-dependent manner, pre-miRNAs are exported from the nucleus into cytoplasm. With the involvement of another RNase III Dicer, the pre-miRNAs are further cleaved into double stranded RNAs (dsRNAs). A helicase then degrades one strand of the dsRNA, leaving the other strand a mature active miRNA to enter the nucleus and form the miRNA-associated RNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC) [5][6][7]. Within this complex, miRNAs can play essential roles in biological functions.miRNAs control the expression of target genes at the post-transcriptional level by inhibiting protein translation or by degrading cognate target mRNAs through binding to their 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs) with varying degrees of sequence complementarity. miRNAs are also involved in