ObjectiveTo study the expression of monocarboxylate transporter 1(MCT1), CD147, and CD44 mRNA in non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC), and its role in the development, progression and prognosis of NSCLC. MethodsFifty-six NSCLC specimens and the adjacent tissues (more than 5 cm from the tumors), 20 specimens of benign pulmonary diseases and 7 specimens of normal pulmonary tissues were included in the present study. The expression of MCT1, CD147, and CD44 mRNA was examined by real-time quantitative RT-PCR in the above specimens. The relationship of their expression with the clinical and pathological features of NSCLC patients was analyzed. Results(1)The expression rates of MCT1, CD147, and CD44 mRNA in NSCLC specimens were significantly higher than those in the adjacent tissues, normal pulmonary tissues, and benign pulmonary disease tissues (all P<0.05). (2) The expression of MCT1, CD147, and CD44 in NSCLC tissue was significantly correlated with each other(P<0.05). (3) The expression of MCT1, CD147, and CD44 mRNA in NSCLC tissue was not correlated with age, gender, smoking, site and dimension of lesion, or pTNM stage, and was correlated with the histological types (all P<0.05) and lymph node metastasis of NSCLC(all P<0.05). In addition, we also found that MCT1 and CD44 expression was correlated with the differentiation degree of NSCLC(all P<0.05). ConclusionThe expression of MCT1, CD147, and CD44 mRNA is up-regulated in the NSCLC specimens. MCT1, CD147 and CD44 may participate in the development and progression of NSCLC, and they may also act as markers for diagnosis and prognosis of NSCLC.