The tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily(TNFRSF) interacts with members of the tumor necrosis factor superfamily(TNFSF)to play fundermental roles in regulating immune responses，cell survival，proliferation and differentiation. TNFRSF19 is a new member of the TNFRSF family，mainly expressed in epithelial cells，hair follicles and brain tissue cells. In recent years，studies have shown that TNFRSF19 plays an important physiological function in regulating the development of the nervous system and maintaining the stemness of stem cells. TNFRSF19 plays diametrically opposite functions of tumor - promoting or tumor - suppressing in different tumors，and its functions are closely related to the tissue origin of tumors. This article briefly reviews the physiological function of TNFRSF19 and its latest research progress in cancer.