In various human cancers, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), a novel class of RNAs longer than 200 nucleotides without protein-coding potential, are implicated in a variety of biological processes, such as cell proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis through regulation of gene expression at various levels including chromatin, splicing, transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. However, the mechanisms underlying these are still elusive. Colon cancer-associated transcript 1(CCAT1) has received increased attention among those lncRNAs. Studies have shown high expression pattern and oncogenic role of CCAT1 in different types of cancer, and aberrant expression of CCAT1 has been involved in tumor-genesis, progression, metastasis, and patient survival via regulating different target genes and signaling pathways. In this review, we first introduce the concept, identification, and biological function of CCAT1; we then describe the mechanisms by which CCAT1 regulate the cancer proliferation and progression. In the last, we discuss emerging insights into the role of CCAT1 as potential biomarker and therapeutic target for novel treatment paradigms in cancer.