LncRNA NBAT-1 is down-regulated in lung cancer and influences cell proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle. 
To explore the expression and role of lncRNA NBAT-1 in lung cancer.  LncRNA NBAT-1 expression in lung cancer tissues and adjacent areas was detected via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).  RAC1 protein was analyzed via Western blotting assay.  Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry were used to evaluate cell proliferation and apoptosis as well as cell cycle.  The expression level of lncRNA NBAT-1 in cancer specimen was remarkably lower than that in adjacent areas.  Furthermore, the low expression of lncRNA NBAT-1 had a significant correlation with patient's tumor size, differentiation degree of tumor cells and lymph node metastasis.  The overexpression of lncRNA NBAT-1 could inhibit the proliferation and cell cycle, promote the apoptosis of A549 cells, and down-regulate the expression level of RAC1.  The low expression of lncRNA NBAT-1 is involved in the progression of lung cancer.