The cell division cycle associated 5(CDCA5) was reported to be associated with progression of several human cancers, however, its clinical significance and biological role still remain unknown in gastric cancer(GC). By analyzing The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA), we found CDCA5 was significantly upregulated in GC tissues compared to adjacent normal tissues. Tissue microarray(TMA) indicated upregulation of CDCA5 was significantly correlated with more advanced clinicopathological features, and acts as an independent risk factor for worse overall survival(OS) in GC patients. Moreover, silence of CDCA5 suppresses proliferation of GC cells by inducing G1-phase arrest via downregulating Cyclin E1(CCNE1). Our results demonstrate upregulation of CDCA5 promotes GC malignant progression, which may offer a potential prognostic and therapeutic strategy. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.