Objective To investigate the recent studies on the biocharacters of keratin family (e.g. genetic mutations and abnormal expressions) and their relationships with the malignant tumors. Methods The literatures of recent years on the biocharacters of keratin family (e.g. genetic mutations and abnormal expressions) and their relationships with the malignant tumors were reviewed. Results Keratin family is a kind of structural proteins in cell which plays an important role in cytomechanics and regulates cell-cycle. The mutations of keratin genes (mRNA) or the overexpression of keratin proteins would interfere with the order of cell-cycle or the integrity of cytomechanics, and lead to some diseases and malignant tumors finally. Conclusion The studies on biocharaters of keratin family (e.g. genetic mutations and abnormal expressions) are helpful in the diagnosis, staging and the evaluation of prognosis of some diseases and cancers, e.g. liver cirrhosis, breast cancer, rectum carcinoma, etc.