OBJECTIVE: To investigate the potential effect of miR-363 on the development of laryngeal cancer and to reveal the relevant mechanism. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The expression level of miR-363 was detected in laryngeal cancer tissues and cells (TU-177), respectively. Luciferase assay was performed to evaluate the interaction between miR-363 and myeloid cell leukemia-1 (Mcl-1). The effect of the miR-363/Mcl-1 axis on TU-177 cells was determined by subsequent experiments including cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis and the expression level of Mcl-1. RESULTS: In the present study, we found that miR-363 was both repressed in laryngeal cancer tissues and cells (TU-177). To find the regulating target of miR-363, we searched three publicly available algorithms, including TargetScan, miRDB, and microRNA. Results showed that Mcl-1 was a direct target of miR-363, and the Luciferase assay confirmed our suggestion. Subsequent experiments indicated that the decreased expression of Mcl-1 resulting from the up-regulation of miR-363 could deaccelerate cell proliferation and invasion, and accelerate cell apoptosis in laryngeal cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS: Our research revealed the suppressed function of miR-363 in laryngeal cancer by targeting Mcl-1. Meanwhile, we found that the restoration of miR-363 could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of laryngeal cancer.