Objective To investigate the expression of inhibitors of apoptosis (IAPs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and its clinical significance. Methods The mRNA expression level and protein level of survivin, hIAP-1 (human IAP-1), hIAP-2 (human IAP-2), and XIAP (X chromosome-linked IAP) in 36 NSCLC patients and 36 controls were analyzed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Results High survivin mRNA expression were detected in 32 out of 36 patients, but not in controls. 26/36 NSCLC showed high XIAP mRNA expression and were significantly higher than those with benign diseases (P