Lnc-SNHG1 (small nucleolar RNA host gene 1) is considered an important regulating factor in several types of cancers. However, the biological functions and underlying molecular mechanisms in which Inc-SNHG1 is involved in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) still need to be explored. In this study, we investigated the detailed effects and possible molecular mechanisms. The transcript level of Inc-SNHG1 was higher in lung adenocarcinoma specimens and NSCLC cell lines than in noncancer tissue and cells. The level of expression was positively correlated with invasiveness and was negatively correlated with the level of miR-497 in vivo and in vitro. In exploring the regulatory mechanism, we found that Inc-SNHG1 might modulate tumor growth by sponging miR-497. The inhibitory effect of si-Inc-SNHG1 on NSCLC cell proliferation, migration and invasion could be rescued by miR-497 inhibition, while the overexpression of miR-497 could reverse the effect of Inc-SNHG1 overexpression. Furthermore, our study demonstrated that the Inc-SNHG1 regulated the expression of the insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF1-R) by acting as a sponge of miR-497 in NSCLC. Inc-SNHG1 could be a novel biomarker as well as a curative target. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.