Abstract:   Objective   To investigate the long non-coding RNA HOTAIR (long non-coding HOX antisense intergenic RNA) by examining HOTAIR expression levels in ovarian cancer tissue and normal ovarian tissue.   Methods   The mRNA of long non-coding RNA HOTAIR expressions were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR in ovarian cancer (44) and normal ovary tissues (14).   Results   The expression of HOTAIR in ovarian cancer tissue was higher than that in normal ovarian tissue (1.26±0.27 vs. 0.14±0.09, P<0.05). The expression was statistically higher in poorly differentiated ovarian cancer than poorly-moderately, moderately-well, and well-differentiated ones (1.65±0.41 vs. 0.39±0.14, P<0.05).   Conclusion   RNA HOTAIR expressions were higher in ovarian cancer; it may play a role in ovarian cancer, and become a biomarker for malignant degree of ovarian cancer and may provide a novel therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.