The results showed that the level of PlncRNA-1 expression was significantly increased in HCC tissues and significantly correlated with tumor size, vascular invasion and advanced TNM stage. Moreover, patients with high levels of PlncRNA-1 expression had relatively poor prognostic outcomes, serving as an independent prognostic factor for HCC. In vitro functional assays indicated that knockdown of PlncRNA-1 expression significantly reduced cell proliferation, migration and invasion by inhibiting the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling. Animal model experiments confirmed the ability of PlncRNA-1 to promote tumor growth in vivo.