Abstract: Objective To study the role of programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) protein in the oncogenesis and development of renal clear cell carcinoma and its association with the prognosis of the malignancy. Methods PDCD5 expression was assayed immunohistochemically in 46 cases of human renal clear cell carcinoma, and the patients’ survival was followed up. Results PDCD5 staining in the adjacent normal tissue of the tumor was significantly stronger than that in the tumor tissue, and PDCD5 expression was significantly correlated with the tumor grade, stage and prognosis. The tumors of high grade with strong invasive ability had much less PDCD5 expression and lighter staining. The three- or five-year survival rates of patients positive for PDCD5 expression was much higher than that of patients negative for PDCD5 expression. Conclusion PDCD5 is a potent inhibitor of malignant transformation of renal clear cell carcinoma and may serve as a major predictor for evaluating the malignant potential and prognosis of the tumor.