MicroRNAs (miRs) are non-coding, single-stranded RNA molecules that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Abnormal expression of miR may result in pathophysiological processes occurring that stimulate the development of various diseases. miRs are commonly dysregulated in cancer and may act as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Studies have indicated that members of the miR-200 family are involved in different aspects of cancer biology, including the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, tumor angiogenesis and chemoresistance by targeting and repressing the expression of several key messenger RNAs. The present review aims to summarize the role of the miR-200 family and its potential mechanism of action in tumor progression, which may advance the development of novel therapeutic drugs against tumor metastasis in clinical cancer treatment.