Abstract: T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein 3 (Tim-3) is a member of the Tim family, which is widely expressed on the surface of various cells and can be involved in the occurrence and development of diseases such as autoimmune, infection and cancer. Clinical trials have found that a combination of blocking Tim-3 and programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) can improve the anti-cancer immune response and regression of tumors in patients with advanced cancer. This article reviewed the basic biological structure of Tim-3, corresponding ligand and its role in tumor microenvironment, and summarized the ongoing clinical trials of TIM-3. These data suggested that Tim-3 could be used as a potentially significant checkpoint receptor for future anti-tumor therapy, and summarized the ongoing clinical trials of drugs, indicating that Tim-3 can be used as a potential checkpoint receptor for future anti-tumor therapy.