ObjectiveTo explore the expression of serum and glucocorticoidinducible kinase 1 (SGK1) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its impacts on tumor cell survival, proliferation and migration.MethodsImmunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of SGK1 protein in NPC tissue and chronic nasopharyngitis tissue. After transfected using lipofectamine 2000, HNE1 cells with the best silence effect were selected by detecting the expression of SGK1 in cells of SGK1 siRNAinduced group, negative control group and nontransfection group using western blotting. CCK8 assay, transwell assay, and flow cytometry were performed to study the effects of SGK1 on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HNE1 cells.ResultsThe expression of the SGK1 in NPC was increased compared to the chronic nasopharyngitis tissue. The protein level of SGK1 got evidently decreased after transfection of SGK1 siRNA. After gene silencing of SGK1, HNE1cells showed strong inhibition of cell proliferation and migration. In addition, the apoptosis rate increased in HNE1 cells after SGK1 knockdown.ConclusionsSGK1 is highly expressed in NPC tissue. Silencing SGK1 suppresses the survival, proliferation and migration of NPC cells.