In sum, p62 can be targeted by miR-124-3p and acts as a tumour promotor in glioma by regulating autophagy, proliferation, migration, reactive oxygen species, TMZ resistance, glycolysis and NF-κB signalling pathway in glioma cells, suggesting the potential value of p62 as a novel therapeutic target for glioma. Here, SQSTM1 is linked to central nervous system cancer.