Death-associated protein kinase 1, also known as DAP kinase 1, DAPK1 and DAPK, is a cytoplasm protein which belongs to theprotein kinase superfamily, CAMK Ser / Thr protein kinase family and DAP kinase subfamily. DAPK1 contains tenANK repeats, onedeath domain and oneprotein kinase domain. DAPK1 is a calcium / calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine kinase which acts as a positive regulator of apoptosis. DAPK1 gene is a candidate tumor suppressor (TSG) and the abnormal methylation of DAPK1 gene has been found in many carcinomas. DAPK1 over-expression can induce cell apoptosis and inhibit tumor cell metastasis. DAPK1 gene over-expression could suppress PGCl3 cells malignant phenotype, inhibit PGCl3 cells growth, invasive, migration and adhesion ability, upregulate p53 gene and downregulate bcl-2 gene. Loss of activity of death-associated protein kinase 1 ( DAPK1 ) may be an independent factor affecting survival of non-small cell lung cancer patients. DAPK1 promoter methylation might play a significant role in the progression of chronic myeloid leukemia ( CML ).