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Background MicroRNA(miRNA) plays a key regulatory role in various stages of tumorigenesis, including cell growth, cell cycle control, apoptosis avoidance, tissue invasion, and metastasis. Several microRNAs are involved in the development of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and the malignant transformation process. However, the effects of miR-663a on RCC have rarely been reported. Methods In the present study, the expression of miR-663a was examined in RCC using matched normal kidney tissues and four cell lines (786-O, Caki-1, ACHN and HK-2). MicroRNA mimics were transiently transfected into RCC cells and the effects of over expression on proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis was observed. In addition, the relationship between miR-663a expression in 42 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) clear cell renal carcinoma (ccRCC) samples and clinical pathological variables and overall survival was investigated. We evaluated the prognostic value of miR-663a expression in ccRCC by experimental results. Results The results showed that the expression of miR-663a was up-regulated in RCC cells and tissues and miR-663a was associated with proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of RCC. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that a high expression of miR-663a patients had a significantly shorter overall survival in univariate and multivariate analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that a high expression of miR-663a patients had a significantly shorter overall survival. Conclusions These results indicate that miR-663a can be used as an independent marker for the poor prognosis of ccRCC, and may also play an important role as a tumor oncogene in the occurrence and development of RCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]